National Police, SBU, PGO establish unified approach to investigating wartime sexual violence – ministry

Ukraine's law enforcement agencies have introduced new guidelines for investigating war crimes involving sexual violence, prioritizing the needs and safety of survivors. The document, a collaborative effort among the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and prosecutors, will steer investigators through the handling of such cases.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhivskyi revealed this on October 5th, emphasizing that the cornerstone of the approach is providing survivors with safety, dignity, and necessary support. The signing ceremony, attended by British Ambassador Neil Crompton, aligns with international and European standards for victim protection, as outlined in European Parliament and Council directives.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to follow through with the implementation phase by conducting systematic training for investigators and prosecutors, standardizing procedures, and fostering robust interagency cooperation. The new rules come in the wake of a UN report that found Russian authorities to be the primary perpetrators of documented sexual violence cases linked to the war.

From February 24, 2022, to July 31, 2026, the UN documented 1,004 cases, with 89% attributed to Russian entities, including military forces, law enforcement, and the Federal Security Service (FSB). Victims were predominantly male prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian detainees, with 155 Ukrainian POWs and medical personnel subjected to electric shocks as a form of sexual violence.

Despite the UN's findings, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Russia's use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war likely represents only a fraction of the actual scale due to survivors' reluctance to speak out due to trauma, fear, or social stigma.