UN Blacklists Israel and Russia Over 341 Verified Wartime Sexual Violence Cases
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 29
UN Blacklists Israel and Russia Over 341 Verified Wartime Sexual Violence Cases
8 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 29
Israel and Russia were newly placed on the UN’s conflict-related sexual violence blacklist after investigators verified 31 cases involving Palestinians and 310 involving Ukrainians, including rape, gang-rape, genital attacks and sexual torture.
UN investigators said both countries obstructed inquiries—Israel barred access to detention sites and Gaza, while Russia blocked monitors from prisoners and civilian detainees—meaning the documented cases reflect patterns rather than a full count.
The report said Israeli forces targeted Palestinian detainees, mostly men and boys, in detention and interrogation, citing nine rapes and a broader culture of impunity after a filmed assault on a Gaza detainee failed to lead to prosecution.
Russian forces were accused of systematic sexual torture in almost all detention centres, with most survivors interviewed after release in Ukrainian-held territory; two-thirds of cases involved multiple forms of abuse and more than half were repeated attacks.
Israel and Russia denied the allegations, with Israel’s UN ambassador saying ties with Secretary-General António Guterres were cut, while the wider UN report said conflict-related sexual violence rose sharply worldwide and still overwhelmingly targets women and girls.
Branded alongside terrorists by the UN, what is the next move for the powerful militaries of Israel and Russia?
With powerful states on the UN's sexual violence blacklist, is the era of impunity for war crimes finally ending?
2026 UN Report: Israeli and Russian Forces Join 77-Party Blacklist for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Overview
On May 28, 2026, the United Nations took a major step in global accountability by adding Israeli and Russian forces to its sexual violence blacklist, which now includes 77 state and non-state actors. This marks the first time Israeli forces have been listed, joining groups like Hamas. The decision highlights ongoing challenges for the UN, as both Israel and Russia have restricted access for investigations, making it difficult to gather evidence and verify claims. These access barriers complicate efforts to ensure accountability and reflect the broader struggle the UN faces in addressing sexual violence in conflict zones.