Ukrainian Women Tell Their Stories of Sexual Violence by Russian Soldiers

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by Lynsey Addario and Sara Cincurova

February 20, 2026

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Hundreds of Ukrainian women and girls have reported遭受性暴力 by Russian troops during the nearly four years of full-scale war in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities and aid groups. While the exact number of victims is likely much higher due to underreporting, these cases highlight a harrowing reality faced by many women and girls caught in the conflict. Some survivors have shared wrenching stories of being forced to bear children conceived through rape, leaving them with a lifetime reminder of their attackers. Others describe unimaginable horrors, including being sexually enslaved by entire units of Russian soldiers or subjected to repeated rapes while incapacitated. The New York Times interviewed over a dozen women who reported such abuses, though many requested anonymity to protect their privacy. While details of their accounts couldn’t be independently verified, the newspaper reviewed criminal complaints and medical records related to their cases and spoke with advocates familiar with their stories. Despite these efforts, the Kremlin has dismissed many reports as groundless, refusing to comment on specific allegations. For Ukraine, this issue remains a largely hidden trauma. Advocates point out that many women are reluctant to file official complaints due to stigma, fear of retaliation, or lack of access to justice in occupied territories. Additionally, those living under Russian occupation face immense challenges in seeking legal recourse, further compounding their suffering. The reluctance to come forward also stems from a desire to avoid painful memories and societal judgment. This hidden crisis underscores the broader challenges faced by survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones worldwide. Their stories not only shed light on individual苦难 but

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/20/2026