Russian wives are encouraging soldiers to rape women in Ukraine, according to First Lady Olena Zelenska.
The Ukrainian leading woman said Russian troops are using rape and sexual assault as a weapon in the ongoing invasion.
Her gut wrenching claims were made during a conference in London to tackle sexual violence during conflicts, reports Sky News.
The 44-year-old, who is married to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said soldiers are carrying out the sexual violence "systematically and openly" as the war drags on.
"Sexual violence is the cruellest, most animalistic way to prove mastery over someone," she said.
"And for victims of this kind of violence, it is difficult to testify in wartime because nobody feels safe.
"This is another instrument that they are using as their weaponry. This is another weapon in their arsenal in this war and conflict. That's why they're using this systematically and openly."
Mrs Zelenska said the Russian servicemen are "very open" about what is happening and discuss it with their relatives on the phone, based on conversations they have captured.
The wives even encourage their behaviour and say "go on, rape those Ukrainian women," she said.
This is followed by the strict instructions "just don't share this with me, just don't tell," she added.
The First lady said it was "extremely important to recognise this as a war crime" and called for a global response to the situation, to hold all perpetrators accountable.
In a special address to MPs and peers on Monday, Mrs Zelenska pleaded for "justice" against Russian aggression and for the UK to be a leader in the fight.
She urged politicians to support a call for a special tribunal to punish Moscow and said Ukraine had documented "thousands of crimes" by Russian forces with "torture chambers" found in many towns and villages.
"The youngest girl who was raped by the Russian occupiers was four years old. The oldest survivor was 85," she said in her harrowing speech.
Nine months into the brutal invasion, she invoked the Blitz of the Second World War.
"Ukrainians are going through the terror which will resonate with you," she added.
In other recent developments, Russian soldiers were fooled by their Ukrainian counterparts.
Ukrainian troops printed huge pictures of blown-up hangars on sheets to camouflage their airbases and confuse Russian bombers.
Analysis from the Royal United Services Institute further claims that Russian troops have been duped into wasting their priceless stores of ammunition on fake targets, including dummy US-built Himars rocket launchers.
They also have a nasty habit of taking themselves out of the battle with friendly fire.
It comes amid claims that Vladimir Putin's forces have been navigating their surroundings using out-of-date maps and military targets, making it simple for the Ukrainian army to deceive them.
