Russia uses sexual torture as systematic weapon against Ukrainian men: Report

Russian forces have used sexual violence as a systematic weapon of war against Ukrainian men, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation.The report, based on testimony from Ukrainian prosecutors, UN investigators and interviews with former prisoners of war, found that sexual torture of male Ukrainian soldiers and civilians has become a core Russian tactic since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.Before he left for the front line, Serhii Boychuk told his wife he didn't want to be taken alive. A few months later, Russian guards held him for more than two years, raping him with bottles and sticks and pressing a knife against his genitals, the Journal reported. "They wanted to psychologically break me," said Boychuk.Systematic abuseThe UN has gathered testimony in about 310 cases of alleged sexual violence by Russian forces during the war.