Depraved new cases of rape and sexual violence against children by Russian forces - including an attack on a six-month-old girl, and fatal abuse of two year old twins - have been alleged by Ukraine.

The sickening examples are from a 24-hour catalogue of sexual torture as a weapon of war by Vladimir Putin ’s forces, it is claimed.

They are from one town, Oleksandrivka, in Kherson region, now under Russian occupation, with one-third of homes reportedly destroyed.

The harrowing cases were highlighted by Lyudmila Denisova, the Kyiv parliament’s human rights commissioner.

Russia uses rape and sexual violence in other forms as tactics of warfare, systematically, everywhere and with striking brutality,” she said.

People watch a Ukrainian tank driving on a road after receiving packages from a food distribution in Rai-Oleksandrivka on April 29 (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

“During the last 24 hours, the commissioner's psychological helpline was contacted by persons from Oleksandrivka, Kherson region, who gave permission to publish information on the facts of sexual violence.

“Two girls aged 12 and 15 were raped by the Rashists [a term combining “Russian,” “racist” and “fascist”].

“A six-month-old girl was raped by a Russian with a teaspoon.”

In another alleged case a mother was at home with her twin boys aged two.

Destroyed school in the village (
Image:
Kherson Prosecutor's Office/east2west news)

Ms Denisova said: “Five Rashists broke in, one held the mother, the other two raped the children orally and anally.

“The children died from ruptures and blood loss.

“A three-year-old boy was raped in front of his mother by two Rashists, and the child died of his injuries.”

She added: “Sexual violence is strictly prohibited by Article 27 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949.

A bird's-eye view shows destroyed buildings in Oleksandrivka (
Image:
YOUTUBE/MAVERICK via REUTERS)

"Rape as a war crime is the most serious crime and one of the components of genocide.

“I ask the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, to initiate an investigation into these facts and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Ms Denisova has also called on international action taking “measures to prevent sexual violence by Russian troops”.

The Ukrainian human rights commissioner said: “I call on the world community to ensure the imposition of personal sanctions against political leaders, Russian military commanders and perpetrators of these terrible crimes.”

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