Remarks by the delegation of Ukraine

during the Interactive dialogue in the Third Committee UNGA 80^th session

with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation Ms. Mariana KATZAROVA

27 October 2025

Ukraine thanks the Special Rapporteur for her briefing and for the report, which highlights the grave human rights violations and crimes committed against Ukrainians under Russia’s control.

The report once again confirms Russia’s widespread and systematic torture and inhuman treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians unlawfully held in detention. It documents torture, sexual violence, coerced confessions, and denial of fair trials. At least 206 Ukrainian POWs have died in captivity, while the ICRC continues to be denied access to unlawfully detained civilians, including journalists.

Russia is also reportedly holding over 15,000 Ukrainian civilians in detention. We reiterate our call for immediate and unhindered access to all places of detention, humane treatment of all Ukrainian detainees, and their prompt release.

At the same time, tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted and taken to Russia, their fate still unknown. We demand their immediate and unconditional return to Ukraine.

Russia’s war of aggression, its attempt to erase Ukrainian identity, and its repression of dissent at home represent a dangerous new form of state-sponsored neo-Nazism — Ruscism.

Ukraine calls for full accountability before international justice.

 Madam Special Rapporteur, what additional international measures would you recommend to secure justice for Ukrainian victims of torture and unlawful detention in Russian custody?