A report by Mariana Katzarova, the special rapporteur on Russia’s rights situation commissioned by the UN’s Human Rights Council, reveals a significant deterioration in human rights in Russia since the onset of President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine in February last year. The report highlights a domestic crackdown that primarily targets critics of Putin’s war and opposition voices in Russia. It notes that over 20,000 people were detained for participating in anti-war protests, with more than 600 criminal lawsuits initiated against “anti-war activity.” The report also highlights rights violations, including torture, sexual violence, and threats of sexual abuse by law enforcement officers, many of which have not been officially investigated. The report is separate from another UN-backed investigation accusing Russia of war crimes in Ukraine.