Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska Claims Wives Of Russian Soldiers “Encourage” Them To Rape Ukrainian Women
Sexual violence is a war crime!
War is one of the most traumatic experiences for women living in a war-torn country. Why? Because no matter what, women are the ones who face the wrath of soldiers as they are the ones who experience sexual violence and assault. And the worst part is that at times these heinous crimes are not even recognised as war crimes. And that is exactly what Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska talks about at an international conference. She said that Russian soldiers are using rape and sexual assault as a “weapon” in the ongoing war. Olena Zelenska also claimed that it is the wives of these Russian soldiers that are encouraging them to rape Ukrainian women.
While speaking at an international conference in London to tackle sexual violence during conflicts, Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, claimed that wives of Russian servicemen encourage them to rape Ukrainian women. She spoke about how soldiers are using sexual assault and rape as a weapon in the war.
Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska spoke about how sexual violence was being “systematically and openly” used by Russian soldiers ever since the war started – that is, back in February. She said, “Sexual violence is the cruellest, most animalistic way to prove mastery over someone. And for victims of this kind of violence, it is difficult to testify in wartime because nobody feels safe.”
As per reports, Olena Zelenska, who is married to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, further claimed that Russian soldiers use sexual violence and rape as an instrument in their weaponry. She even said that these soldiers are very open about it and talk about it on phone with their relatives.
Speaking about the phone calls they’ve managed to hear, Ukraine’s First Lady said, “… The wives of Russian servicemen encourage this, they say, ‘Go on, rape those Ukrainian women, just don’t share this me, just don’t tell me’. This is why there has to be a global response to this.” Olena Zelenska further says that it is extremely crucial to recognise rape and sexual violence as war crime and hold all those accused of committing the crime accountable.
It is not the first time we’ve heard rape and sexual violence being used as a weapon during wars, and the way we’re going, I don’t think it will be the last time.
