Russia tortures & unlawfully detains civilians in occupied areas of southern Ukraine: HRW

In its latest report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed Russia is torturing and kidnappings Ukrainians in occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia amid ongoing war in Kyiv. report disclosed that re are over 40 cases where Russian military could be involved in causing disappearances of civilians.  human rights activists in ir report also documented torture of about three members of Ukrainian territorial defense. While two of three members reportedly died, several or people also spoke of sufferings in detention, saying that y were beaten with baseball bats and metal bars. 

“Russian forces have turned occupied regions of sourn Ukraine into an abyss of fear and wild lawlessness,” a senior expert at human rights group on Ukraine, Yulia Gorbunova was quoted as saying by HRW. 

Notably, people detained and tortured by Russian forces mainly included organisers and participants of anti-Russian protests, journalists and local officials. Furr, HRW said that se unjustified arrests and illegal detention of civilians in Russian-occupied territories should be considered a war crime. " purpose of abuse appears to be to gain information and instill fear in people to come to terms with occupation as Russia tries to assert its sovereignty over occupied territories in violation of international law," said HRW.

Russia says 92 Ukrainians charged with 'crimes against humanity'

Meanwhile, he of Russia's investigative committee, Alexander Bastrykin has charged 92 members of Ukrainian armed forces with crimes against humanity, as per TASS. Russian investigator also claimed that over 1,300 criminal investigations h been launched against Ukrainian army personnel so far. At least 96 people, including 51 armed forces commanders, are also wanted in Moscow. "In course of a preliminary investigation, over 220 people have been identified as being involved in crimes against peace and security of mankind and this figure includes representatives of Ukrainian military high command as well as commanders of military detachments, who bombarded civilians," Bastrykin said during an interview with Russia’s Rossiiskaya Gazeta daily.

On or hand, Ukraine is also conducting investigations against Russia's war crimes. Earlier this month, it was reported that Ukraine was examining more than 21,000 war crimes and crimes of aggression allegedly committed by Russian soldiers. However, Russia has denied all allegations.