UN Secretary-General to pay special attention to Russians’ sexual crimes in Ukraine

This is pointed out in the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

It is noted that First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar met with UN Under-Secretary-General – Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten during her visit to Kyiv.

The parties condemned the atrocities of Russian troops in the temporarily occupied territories, especially the crimes of sexual violence committed by the Russian military in Bucha, Irpin and other towns and villages of Ukraine.

"Ukraine's leadership calls on the international community to continue to work actively to jointly counter Russian propaganda and to conduct a proper investigation into Russia's war crimes," Dzheppar said.

As the MFA informs, the Special Representative said she would address the UN Security Council on identified cases of sexual violence by Russian aggressors. Patten also informed about the preparation of the UN Secretary-General’s annual report which will focus on crimes of sexual violence committed in Ukraine.

The first deputy minister thanked Patten for her clear position in support of Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor and her solidarity with the Ukrainians.

“Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have opened proceedings over more than 9,000 war crimes committed by servicemen of Russian armed forces and other military formations in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Russia has already claimed the lives of more than 3,800 civilians in Ukraine and injured more than 4,000. The facts of torture and sexual violence have been established,” Dzheppar said.

The deputy minister welcomed the signing of the framework document on cooperation with the Government of Ukraine to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict. The document aims to counteract the consequences of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Patten stressed that she could not stay away from the suffering of the Ukrainian people and hoped for fruitful and active cooperation within the framework of agreements to provide effective support to Ukraine.

On Tuesday, May 3, the Government of Ukraine and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Pramila Patten signed a memorandum of cooperation to prevent and combat sexual violence in wartime.