It is considered one of the most important weapons of war.

Russian forces used sexual violence extensively to intimidate and fear victims of the Ukraine war.

Officially, only 154 cases have been identified of conflict-related sexual violence. Experts believe that the true number is much higher.

Warning: This article may be distressing to some

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An investigation by the United Nations into war crimes committed in Ukraine revealed that all genders were involved and victims ranged from four to 82 year old.

Sexual violence in conflict is classified as a war crime or a crime against genocide.

It can cause long-term psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental disorders.

Experts believe that wartime sexual violence is worsened when people are less tolerant of rape. Victims often feel ashamed to speak out about their experience.

The horrific state of sexual violence in Ukraine has led to First Lady Olena Zelenska warning that Russian forces were using the tool “systematically and openly”, and “another weapon in our arsenal”.

Alisa Kovalenko, a documentary filmmaker, was attacked by Russian soldiers in 2014. Sky News can report her story because she has given up anonymity.

While filming a documentary on anti-corruption protests, she was stopped by a checkpoint manned Russian soldiers as she rode in a taxi.

“It was a weapon for war”

Incorrectly, the taxi driver claimed that Ms Kovalenko was in the Ukrainian army. The soldiers then arrested her. After being interrogated for several hours, one officer finally took her to an apartment.

Sky News Daily podcast interview: She said that he forced her to take off her clothes and to take a shower, but kept the door open so he could come in occasionally to use the bathroom. He said, “Why are you so shy?” You must wash your hands. Because you are always in the trenches, you get so dirty.

He said it very arrogantly that he had this power and could do anything he wanted.

He gave me a small towel and took me to the kitchen. He wanted to talk to me. He was enjoying his power and cleaning his gun right in front of me. I couldn’t do anything.

“Later, the he tried to sexually assault me. It was a weapon for war, and you can’t have more humiliation than that.

Ms. Kovalenko was held prisoner for four days, before being released by the soldiers.

The Andreev Foundation, a charity supporting victims of rape or sexual assault, records their testimonies and provides support.

Victims’ accounts show the brutality of Russian soldiers against Ukrainians living in the areas they occupied.

“I remember very clearly the creak of this table”

A victim said that A was the one who had been hurt. He started to undo his belt and smiled again. Then he stroked my head and told me that I was a good girl.

“When he was done, he called another soldier and spat at me, hitting me with such force that my left ear could not be heard for several days.

“The other one pulled me out of the car and asked me to get out. I tried to hide my tears from my children.

“They put a piece of tape on my forehead, and they told me to leave. And when we left, [the soldiers] shot at our car.”

Another survivor stated that she remembered the creak at the table where she was raped five times, the sound of the explosions, and the name of the books on the shelves right in front of her face. They then took turns raping her.

A machine gun threatened a fourth survivor.

“The Russian soldiers laughed loudly and pushed me aside. One of them placed a machine gun to mine chest, while the other said, “Finish her. There’s nothing to be done with her.”

She said, “The soldier jerked my machine gun and I even had the time to pray and say goodbye to all of my life.”

After one soldier received a call, the assault ended and the group fled.

“They want to destroy our mental faculties”

Another survivor stated that the physical pain was gone, but that something more severe had begun. When I closed my eyes, I felt torn apart all over again.

“I could not sleep. I felt fearful, ashamed, and in danger every night.

“My body was healed – only the stitches remained. However, I felt pain in my soul.

“I couldn’t keep going on living and, one day, I couldn’t bear it anymore. I tried to kill myself.”

Anna Orel is one of the survivors who worked with the charity. She described it as “a horror, scary movie”.

They just want to kill us mentally. Russian forces used rape to dehumanize victims.

“Most people who make it through this are not able to go on. Our goal is to bring them back to their former lives, to help them hold on and give them the reason for living.

It is hard to hear such horrible things about people who have survived. We must resist the urge to do so and continue to help others.

Our strength is our ability to help others. It is hard to imagine the hardships that those who have survived sexual violence must have gone through. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories.

Suicidal or emotionally disturbed people can call Samaritans on 116 123, or email [email protected]