UN Inquiry Chief: Russia Committed Crimes Against Humanity In Ukraine

The head of a U.N.-backed team of independent experts has declared that Russia has committed crimes against humanity during its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Speaking before the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, Erik Møse, chairman of the Independent Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, outlined new findings of enforced disappearances—adding to prior evidence of torture and other atrocities committed by Russian forces.

“Large numbers of civilians were detained and subsequently transferred to detention facilities in occupied areas of Ukraine or deported to the Russian Federation,” Møse stated. “They were subjected to additional grave violations and crimes, including torture and sexual violence.”

The Russian delegation was notably absent from the hearing at the U.N.’s Geneva headquarters and has yet to respond to the allegations.