The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched official investigations into war crimes in Russia-invaded Ukraine. This was announced by chief prosecutor Karim Khan on Wednesday evening in The Hague. 39 contracting states of the ICC had issued a corresponding recommendation, which made the investigations possible.
Shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine began last week, the prosecutor said he was closely monitoring the situation. On Monday he then announced his intention to launch an investigation. According to the information, these now initially relate to possible crimes that were committed before the invasion of Russia. In view of the spread of the conflict, however, the investigation should be expanded in his view.
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The court had already investigated incidents related to the crackdown on pro-European protests in Kyiv in 2013/2014, as well as the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014 and in eastern Ukraine.
There is “sufficient basis for assuming that both war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed in Ukraine,” the chief prosecutor said on Monday. The investigation should focus on possible crimes by all parties in the conflict.
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In light of the investigation, Khan on Thursday reiterated his call to all those involved in hostilities in Ukraine to “strictly abide by the applicable rules of international humanitarian law.”
Ukraine is not a party to the International Criminal Court. However, in statements since November 2013, the country has accepted the court’s jurisdiction to try war crimes and crimes against humanity on its territory, according to the prosecution. Russia does not recognize the court.
US accuses Russia of using cluster bombs and vacuum bombs
According to the US government, the Russian army is increasingly targeting civilians in its war of aggression in Ukraine. Russia is bringing “extremely lethal weapons” into the country, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Wednesday. This includes cluster bombs and vacuum bombs, which are internationally banned and have “no place on the battlefield.”
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“Hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians have been killed or injured in the Russian offensive,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The consequences for the population are devastating. The Russian military is attacking buildings and cities that are not military targets, he emphasized: “The humanitarian impact will increase in the coming days.”
A US Defense Department official said heavy artillery attacks are expected to intensify in the coming days as Russian troops try to encircle cities in Ukraine. “The concern is that the more aggressive they become, they become less precise,” the Pentagon official said. (dpa, AFP)
