Human Rights in Ukraine: Analytical Report 2025-2026

Last updated: 5 October 2026

Photo: Lviv, Ukraine - September 2017 - Konrad Lembcke

Ukraine human rights in 2025-2026 are shaped by the continuing Russian full-scale invasion that began in February 2022. The war has produced massive civilian harm, occupation of approximately 18% of Ukrainian territory, large-scale displacement, and a domestic mobilisation regime that has itself generated human rights concerns. Furthermore, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has documented hundreds of thousands of incidents. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. This analytical report covers the human rights situation in Ukraine across the principal dimensions in 2025-2026.[1]

For wider context, see the country reports section.

Political and Legal Context

Ukraine has been under martial law continuously since 24 February 2022. The Verkhovna Rada has extended martial law in successive 90-day periods. Furthermore, the 2022 Mobilisation Law (with subsequent 2024 amendments) has expanded the conscription regime substantially. President Volodymyr Zelensky's term originally expired in May 2024; under martial law, elections cannot be held, and Zelensky continues in office. Therefore, Ukrainian governance operates under emergency rules with corresponding restrictions on certain civil liberties.[2]

War Crimes and Civilian Harm

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has documented serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law since 2022. Documented patterns include: deliberate targeting of civilians; attacks on civilian infrastructure including healthcare and education; torture in occupation; sexual violence as a method of warfare; enforced disappearances; and the unlawful transfer of children to Russia and Russian-controlled areas.[3]

The ICC arrest warrants

On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. Furthermore, on 5 March 2024, the ICC issued additional warrants for Russian Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash and Admiral Viktor Sokolov for attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

Documented massacres

Several specific incidents have produced extensive documentation. The Bucha massacre of March 2022 killed over 400 civilians under Russian occupation. The Mariupol siege from February to May 2022 killed thousands in the besieged city. Furthermore, the 2024-2026 destruction in Avdiivka, Vovchansk, and other front-line cities continues to produce civilian deaths.

Human Rights in Occupied Territories

The Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine — Crimea (since 2014), and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions (since 2022) — operate under a parallel Russian administration. Furthermore, Russian law has been imposed on residents. Ukrainian language education, Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate), and Crimean Tatar institutions have all faced restrictions.[4]

Specific patterns in occupied areas

• Forced passportisation: Russian passports issued to Ukrainian residents; refusal can result in detention or denial of services.
• Education russification: Curriculum imposed; Ukrainian language and history excluded.
• Church property seizures: Ukrainian Orthodox Church (KP) and Greek Catholic property targeted.
• Detention of activists: Pro-Ukrainian activists, journalists, and former soldiers detained.
• Crimean Tatar persecution: Continued targeting of the community since 2014.

Domestic Mobilisation and Conscription

Ukraine has implemented progressively stricter mobilisation since 2022. The May 2024 amendments to the Mobilisation Law lowered the conscription age, expanded electronic registration requirements, and introduced new penalties for evasion. Furthermore, territorial recruitment centres conduct street recruitment with significant documented incidents of force or coercion.[5]

Conscription human rights concerns

• Street recruitment incidents: Videos and reports document forced recruitment.
• Article 336 prosecutions: Criminal liability for evasion has been pursued aggressively.
• Electronic registration mandate: May 2024 law required electronic registration; many residents abroad have not complied.
• Limited conscientious objection: Ukraine recognises conscientious objection only on narrowly defined religious grounds.
• Travel restrictions: Men aged 18-60 cannot leave Ukraine without authorisation.

Press Freedom and Civil Society

Ukraine ranks 61st in the 2025 RSF Press Freedom Index — improved from 2014-2021 levels but reflecting wartime restrictions. Furthermore, several specific developments raise human rights concerns. The unified TV news marathon, established in 2022, has consolidated war-related broadcasting. Several opposition channels were withdrawn from broadcast. Independent journalists who criticise the government have faced harassment in some cases.[6]

Vulnerable Groups

LGBTQ+ persons

Ukraine's Constitution does not recognise same-sex marriage, but civil partnership legislation was under discussion in 2024-2026. Public attitudes have shifted notably since 2022. However, hate crimes have continued. Ukrainian LGBTQ+ persons in occupied territories face severe additional risk from Russian authorities.[7]

Roma communities

Ukrainian Roma face pre-existing discrimination plus war-related vulnerability. Many Roma communities are concentrated in the eastern and southern regions most affected by the war. Furthermore, Roma have faced documented difficulties accessing humanitarian assistance and registration as IDPs.

Persons with disabilities

Persons with disabilities — particularly those in residential institutions — have faced extreme vulnerability during the war. Several institution evacuations have failed; some residents have been killed. Furthermore, war-related injuries have produced a significant new population of persons with disabilities, particularly amputations.

Displacement

Ukraine's war has produced one of the largest displacement crises in Europe since World War II. Approximately 6.5 million internally displaced persons remain inside Ukraine, with concentrations in Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv regions. Furthermore, approximately 6.7 million Ukrainian refugees are abroad, with 3.7 million holding EU temporary protection status. The UK has welcomed approximately 250,000 Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Family schemes.[8]

The full-scale invasion has produced civilian harm and displacement on a historic European scale. Accountability and reconstruction will be the work of years to come.
UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Update Report (2024)

Asylum Implications

Ukrainian asylum claims engage several distinct profile categories.[9]

Temporary Protection Directive (EU)

The EU Temporary Protection Directive (Council Directive 2001/55/EC) was activated for Ukrainians in March 2022. It has been extended multiple times. As of 2026, the Directive provides temporary protection until at least March 2026, with extensions likely. Furthermore, Ukrainians under temporary protection have rights to residence, work, education, and healthcare in EU member states. However, this protection is distinct from refugee status under the Refugee Convention.

Conclusion

Ukraine human rights in 2025-2026 are dominated by the continuing Russian full-scale invasion. War crimes, occupation, displacement, and domestic mobilisation produce a complex human rights environment. Asylum claims by Ukrainians engage multiple Convention grounds depending on profile. Furthermore, EU temporary protection provides a distinct framework that operates alongside Convention asylum. To commission a Ukraine expert report, use the find expert witness service. For broader context, see the country reports section.