Qualitative insights on war-related abuses and health consequences: perspectives from Ukrainian veterans and former prisoners of war

Introduction The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following the conflict in 2014, resulted in indiscriminate shelling, systematic torture and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), suggesting possible war crimes and crimes against humanity (WCCAH). This study explores the experiences of Ukrainian veterans and former prisoners of war (POWs) since 2014 to systematically document reported abuses and inform accountability. Methods We conducted a series of semistructured key informant interviews (KIIs) of 40 Ukrainian veterans and former POWs (20 male, 20 female) from the 2014 and 2022 invasions between August and November 2025. The KII instrument contained 32 open-ended questions covering demographics, abuses, psychological impact and justice. Data analysis involved qualitative thematic analysis with quantitative descriptors from coded interviews. Results Participants reported numerous abuses consistent with previously documented WCCAH including attacks on civilian infrastructure; systemic torture, beatings, electrocution, starvation, denied medical care, deliberate targeting of Ukrainian nationality, unlawful killings of civilians and hors de combat; and CRSV targeting both male and female captives and civilians. Internally, female veterans reported facing discrimination, restrictive roles and military sexual assault. Self-reported trauma symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and moral injury were cited as major consequences of the wars. Conclusions Reported incidents appear deliberate and widespread and may constitute violations consistent with WCCAH. Psychosocial barriers undermine protection and prevention efforts for justice. Stigma, particularly for male survivors of CRSV, and fear of harming loved ones still in captivity obstruct evidence-gathering and truth-telling. Self-reporting of severe trauma symptomatology necessitates an immediate humanitarian response prioritising recovery of veterans and former POWs through structured, accessible, long-term psychological and psychiatric services. Restrictive roles, discrimination and military sexual assault reveal a need to establish mechanisms that combat internal sexual violence and reinforce professional military hierarchy.