UN Report Includes Israeli and Russian Forces in Sexual Violence Blacklist

The United Nations has included Israeli forces in its annual report for the first time since the review started over 15 years ago, citing their treatment of Palestinian detainees as a significant concern. The report documents rising incidents of sexual violence attributed to 77 groups in various nations, with figures showing an increase from the previous year.

For the first time, Russian armed forces have also been blacklisted, accused of sexual violence against both prisoners of war and civilians in Ukraine. Both countries were warned in the previous year’s report about potential inclusion on the blacklist. In response, U.N. ambassadors from Israel and Russia expressed strong disapproval of their listings, with Israel's ambassador stating that the inclusion of the nation alongside groups like Hamas and ISIS was unacceptable.

The U.N. report outlines specific incidents of sexual violence against Palestinians, detailing patterns of abuse including rape and torture. It mentions multiple verified cases asserting that these violations occurred in 2025, with earlier reports documenting signs of similar abuses. Israel’s foreign ministry has vigorously denied these allegations, claiming they reflect a longstanding bias against the country.

Meanwhile, the report confirmed numerous incidents of sexual violence in Russian-occupied Ukraine, with the U.N. documenting 310 cases involving male victims. Human rights monitors indicated that these abuses were often reported prior to 2025. Despite the serious findings, Ukraine itself has not been flagged in the U.N. blacklist.