International, Defence and Summits · 1 June 2026

United Nations adds Israel and Russia to blacklist on sexual violence in conflict

Exam-focused facts from the 1 June 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • The United Nations (UN) has added Israeli and Russian security forces to its blacklist of parties suspected of committing patterns of sexual violence in armed conflict.
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued the decision following documented incidents in the war in Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian territories.
  • The UN identifies perpetrators in Israel as members of the Israeli military, security forces, and prison services.
  • Regarding Russia, the report highlights sexual violence perpetrated by armed forces and prison services in occupied Ukrainian territories and within Russia.
  • The Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine cited 310 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, genital mutilation, and electric shocks, primarily against men.

View this story in the full daily briefing

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