Ukrainian children in the temporarily occupied territories became victims of sexual harassment by Russian “Cossacks”

In the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, numerous cases of misconduct by Russian “Cossacks” in schools were recorded

This was reported by the Center of National Resistance.

It is noted that these “Cossacks” were hired by the Russians to guard schools. Instead, the “guards” are often drunk, the Center for National Resistance points out.

“Yes, in order to “ensure order” in captured schools in the temporarily occupied territories, militants from numerous private security companies from Russia were involved, in particular, such as the “Cossack Hundred” from the Belgorod region. These militants are often in a drunken state and cling to schoolchildren because of their appearance, in particular, clothes, haircuts or dyed hair. There have been recorded cases of not only verbal complaints, but also assaults and illegal searches, during which schoolchildren became victims of sexual harassment by so-called security guards,” the message reads.

In June 2022, the National Police initiated 16 criminal proceedings against the Russian military on the facts of rape, and three were informed of the suspicion. Already in May of the same year, the Prosecutor General’s Office referred to the court the first military case of the Russian Federation about rape during the war.

At the same time, it was reported that previously adopted documents of the UN Security Council condemn any form of sexual violence, which can never be forgiven, justified or amnestied.

In September 2023, a Russian soldier who forced alcohol and raped girls in the occupied part of the Kherson region was informed of suspicion of violating the laws and customs of war.

On October 10, the police reported that they were investigating 54 cases of sexual violence by the occupiers against Ukrainians. The youngest victim was only 4 years old.