By: Chase Liu

The war in Ukraine has caused a lot of trouble for citizens. Some include the torturing and war crimes committed against them by Russian Forces in the Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine.

Russian Forces caused global outrage after news spread about the cruelty the force has been using against Ukraine’s citizens. Because of the war crimes committed, many trials are scheduled to take place by Ukrainian Prosecutors.

The Human Rights Watch has spoken to 71 people in 42 cases in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. These cases include Russian Forces blocking people from all communications with the outside world, and some people reported missing after being detained by Russian Forces.

“Russian forces have turned occupied areas of southern Ukraine into an abyss of fear and wild lawlessness,” says Human Rights Watch researcher Yulia Gorbunova. “Torture, inhumane treatment, as well as arbitrary detention and unlawful confinement of civilians, are among the apparent war crimes we have documented.” Ms. Gorbunova wants Russia to admit they did something wrong and immediately end all abuses such as beating people up for no reason.

Mr. Putin called the Ukrainian invasion a secret operation – the main goal being to remove “Nazis” in Ukraine. Because of this, many Russians are encouraging this invasion. However, they don’t know that many Ukrainian civilians are getting abused and being treated poorly.

“People interviewed described being tortured, or witnessing torture, through prolonged beatings and in some cases electric shocks,” says the report made by the Human Rights Watch.

Many Ukrainian civilians have been getting abused since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Human Rights Watch closely monitors all cases of mistreatment caused by Russian Forces. However, Mr. Putin doesn’t look like he will stop the abuses of citizens.