Russia’s use of sexualized torture devices like the “Call to Putin” against Ukrainian civilians exposes a chilling escalation of state-sponsored brutality.
Story Snapshot
- Russian forces systematically torture Ukrainians with electric shocks to genitals using a device known as the “Call to Putin.”
- UN experts and human rights organizations confirm these acts as coordinated state policy, not isolated incidents.
- Victims include both men and women; the abuses have intensified since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
- International bodies denounce the torture as crimes against humanity, but Russia continues with impunity.
Systematic Sexualized Torture: The “Call to Putin” Device
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, credible reports have emerged documenting the systematic torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war. Among the most notorious methods is the use of a field telephone device, colloquially called the “Call to Putin,” to administer electric shocks to the genitals of detainees. This practice, revealed through survivor testimony and forensic evidence, has become emblematic of a broader campaign of sexualized violence and psychological terror targeting anyone perceived as resisting Russian occupation.
International monitoring organizations, including the United Nations Commission of Inquiry and Special Rapporteur on Torture, have verified that these abuses are not isolated incidents. Instead, they constitute a deliberate state policy directed by Russian military and security officials in both formal detention centers and makeshift facilities across occupied territories such as Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. The coordinated nature of these acts, involving a division of labor among officials and systematic documentation, underscores the intent to intimidate, control, and punish the Ukrainian population.
Russia torturing Ukrainians with electric shock to genitals from phone known as a ‘Call to Putin’ https://t.co/H4vPx0YqbF pic.twitter.com/a7ZMkUqMSu
— New York Post (@nypost) September 29, 2025
Historical Precedent and Escalation in Ukraine
The use of electric shock torture has deep roots in Soviet and post-Soviet security service practices, but the scale and sexualized nature of the abuses in Ukraine mark a significant escalation. Previous conflicts, including Chechnya and Syria, saw similar methods employed, yet the current campaign is distinguished by its focus on sexual violence, targeting both men and women. Survivor accounts detail how these tactics are wielded as weapons of war, intended to instill fear, break resistance, and exert total control over occupied communities.
Media coverage and diplomatic attention intensified in late 2025, with the “Call to Putin” device becoming a symbol of Russian impunity. In August, UN experts submitted a dossier detailing ten cases of sexual torture, including genital electrocution, while international bodies labeled these actions crimes against humanity. Despite mounting evidence and global condemnation, Russian authorities have failed to respond substantively to demands for accountability, leaving victims and their families without justice or closure.
Impact on Victims and Broader Society
For survivors, the consequences of sexualized torture are severe and enduring. Physical injuries are compounded by deep psychological trauma, with many experiencing ongoing health issues, fear, and repression. The long-term ramifications include potential intergenerational trauma, erosion of trust in institutions, and significant challenges for post-war reconciliation. Human rights organizations and healthcare systems in Ukraine face increased demands for documentation, advocacy, and support, while the international legal community grapples with the complexities of prosecuting such crimes amid ongoing conflict and Russian non-cooperation.
The normalization of these brutal tactics raises alarms not only for Ukraine but for global stability and human rights. As evidence continues to mount, calls grow louder for the international community to hold Russia accountable and to ensure that survivors receive the recognition and support they desperately need.
Sources:
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Press Release, 21 August 2025
JURIST, UN Experts Warn of Systematic Sexual Torture, August 2025
UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Report, 30 October 2024
The Telegraph, Russia’s ‘Call to Putin’ Torture Method, 28 September 2025
UK Government Statement to OSCE, September 2025
