Shock Torture Device Exposes Russian Abuse

Man speaking on screen with Russian flag background

Russia’s use of electric shock torture to the genitals of Ukrainian civilians and POWs, now symbolized by the “Call to Putin” device, exposes a brutal campaign that threatens human dignity and international order.

Story Snapshot

Russian forces in occupied Ukraine systematically torture civilians and POWs with electric shocks to sensitive areas using a device called “Call to Putin.”
UN experts and international organizations have documented and condemned these acts as crimes against humanity.
Survivors report deep psychological trauma, while Russia denies responsibility and ignores international demands for accountability.
The scale and coordination of these abuses point to state policy, raising grave concerns for human rights and global stability.

Systematic Sexualized Torture by Russian Forces

Multiple investigations confirm that Russian authorities in occupied Ukrainian territories have engaged in widespread torture of civilians and prisoners of war. The most notorious method involves electric shocks to sensitive areas, administered with a field telephone device chillingly nicknamed the “Call to Putin.” This tactic is not isolated; instead, it’s a deliberate part of a larger pattern of sexualized abuse, arbitrary detention, and violence meant to intimidate and punish the Ukrainian population. Reports indicate both men and women have suffered these acts, which inflict severe physical and psychological harm.

UN Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards and other experts have submitted dossiers documenting at least ten recent cases of sexual torture, including the use of electric shocks. These abuses are concentrated in both official detention centers and makeshift holding locations in occupied regions such as Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. The evidence shows a clear division of labor among Russian officials, revealing that these crimes are coordinated at high levels rather than the result of rogue actors. Survivors and human rights groups describe a climate of fear and repression where torture is used to extract information, break resistance, and instill terror.

Historical Precedent and Escalation in Ukraine

While torture by Russian security services has a grim history in conflicts like Chechnya and Syria, the escalation in Ukraine is marked by its sexualized nature and systematic application. The “Call to Putin” method, using a field telephone to deliver electric shocks to sensitive areas, echoes practices seen in Soviet and post-Soviet eras, but the documented scale in Ukraine represents a significant intensification. International monitors and survivor testimonies underscore that these abuses are not isolated incidents, but part of a state-driven policy of intimidation and control over occupied territories.

Previous global conflicts have seen sexual violence used as a weapon, but experts highlight that Russia’s coordinated campaign in Ukraine is notable for its organization and targeting. The power dynamics in occupied regions allow Russian authorities near-total control, with impunity for those perpetrating torture. International bodies, restricted in access, rely on remote investigations and survivor accounts to document and verify these abuses, but the consistency of evidence is overwhelming.

Impact on Victims and International Response

Survivors of sexualized torture face immediate and lasting trauma, with health consequences that affect families and communities. The ongoing repression in occupied areas has eroded trust in institutions and fueled fear among Ukrainians. Human rights organizations and the Ukrainian government continue to seek justice and support for victims, but Russia has refused substantive engagement with demands for accountability. International bodies, including the UN and UK government, have labeled these acts as crimes against humanity and called for coordinated global action against the perpetrators.

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

UN experts warn that the normalization of such torture tactics risks destabilizing not just Ukraine but broader international norms for human rights. The mounting evidence and cross-verified testimony offer a robust factual basis for the claims, and experts agree that prosecution and accountability are urgently needed. As media and diplomatic attention intensifies, the “Call to Putin” has become emblematic of the brutality faced by those under Russian occupation, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and human dignity.