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As efforts to broker peace in Ukraine continue, ITV News International Editor Emma Murphy speaks with survivors of alleged Russian war crimes on their fight for justice
Warning: This article contains details some readers may find distressing
One of the saddest phrases I have heard about war had nothing to do with explosions or ambushes.
It was spoken by a young girl in Kyiv, about the impact of her rape by a Russian soldier.
“Realistically, no one will ever love me… not like a real person, not like a girl. They just want… it,” she told me.
What a tragedy at 18 to already feel so discarded. Had she been hit by a bullet, the long-term damage may have been easier to contain.
Daryna* was getting ready for school when she heard the war had started. Her teacher wrote it in a class WhatsApp group and said lessons were going online.
That was the last normal morning of Daryna’s life. Soon after the Russians were in Kherson, patrolling the streets with their guns and tanks.
She explains this to me calmly and with composure, a composure that barely changes as she goes on to tell me those soldiers grabbed her from the street and raped her.
She has lived with the emotional consequences ever since and is one of thousands of civilians now trying to survive what has happened to them during this war.
Rape in war is war crime; so is torture, so is abduction, so is illegal imprisonment.
In the past days, we have heard examples of them all:
– Young boys who were taken to Russia and indoctrinated to fight against their homeland
– Children whose parents have disappeared into Russian detention
– Men who have endured such torture in Russian cells that it is incredible they survived
Their testimonies build a horrifying account of the savagery inflicted on civilians in this war.
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Russian troops are accused of carrying out more than 140,000 war crimes in the space of the last three years.
Such is the scale, that the Ukrainians have set up a special department to look into all the allegations.
If they have a soldier in their custody, they will try them. If they are back in Russia, they will be tried in absentia.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets, said locating missing and abducted Ukrainian children was incredibly difficult
It is an attempt to hold to account those who committed crimes under the supposed cover of war.
The police department in Kyiv is constantly receiving new reports of further rapes, torture, disappearances or killings. They will investigate every one.
The past days have seen a focus on finding peace in Ukraine, but whatever the external pressure, the Ukrainians are determined not to accept peace at any price.
They want a just peace for the victims of this war, those who lost their lives to it, living or dead.
Daryna* is a pseudonym.
Helplines for sexual assault, rape survivors and mental health
Rape Crisis England & Wales runs a rape and sexual abuse support line – you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year)
The Survivors Trust resources site is an online platform designed to offer survivor-led resources and practical tools to help people affected by sexual violence and abuse, and their supporters navigate their journey of healing. You can contact their helpline on 08088 010818
Samaritans operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, by calling 116 123. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
Papyrus offers support for children and young people under the age of 35 over the phone on 0800 068 41 41 between 9am and midnight every day of the year. If you would rather text you can do so on 07786 209697 or send an email to pat@papyrus-uk.org
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