UN Report Reveals Escalating Repression in Russia Amid Ukraine War

A recent report from a United Nations human rights expert has highlighted a troubling increase in the repression of dissent in Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Mariana Katzarova, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Russia, stated that the situation is worsening, with authorities targeting civilians, journalists, and even Ukrainian prisoners of war in efforts to silence opposition.

Presenting her findings to the Human Rights Council, Katzarova reported that Russian authorities have intensified their methods of suppression, including “criminal prosecution, long-term imprisonment, torture, and ill-treatment.” This escalation follows the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in February 2022, which prompted the establishment of her role by the Council.

“The repression is escalating … and becoming massive,” Katzarova emphasized, underscoring the severity of the situation. She noted that the individuals orchestrating this repression are employing increasingly sophisticated tools while operating with total impunity. The report revealed that, in the year covered, starting from mid-2024, the number of prosecutions surged, with at least 3,905 individuals convicted on administrative or criminal charges related to peaceful dissent.

Katzarova’s findings include alarming statistics regarding youth involvement in dissent. By July 2024, she indicated that over 150 children aged 14 to 17 had been added to a federal list designating them as “extremists” and “terrorists.” Some of these minors faced accusations of treason and were reportedly subjected to torture to extract confessions.

The report also highlighted that as of mid-July, a total of 1,040 individuals and organizations had been classified as “foreign agents,” nearly a quarter of whom were journalists. This classification has increased significantly, with 133 new additions since January 2024.

Katzarova emphasized that torture and ill-treatment are prevalent in Russia, affecting not only Russian citizens but also Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees. The report documented at least 258 cases of torture by law enforcement, prison staff, and inmates acting under the orders of prison authorities in the 2024/25 period.

One particularly harrowing account described the treatment of a Ukrainian man captured by Russian troops. According to Katzarova, the individual was subjected to electric shocks during interrogation. Following this ordeal, a Moscow doctor performed surgery to save his life but left a disturbing mark on the man’s body. “When the guy woke up, he saw that there were extra bandages on his stomach. This Russian doctor has burned, with the medical tool: ‘Victory! Glory to Russia’ on his stomach,” Katzarova recounted, highlighting the brutality of the situation.

Katzarova, a Bulgarian who previously led human rights investigations for Amnesty International, concluded her presentation by calling for international attention to the human rights violations occurring in Russia. Her report aims to raise awareness of the ongoing repression and to encourage global leaders to take action against these human rights abuses.