Ukraine police open 52,613 criminal proceedings over Russian war crimes News
© WikiMedia Commons (State Emergency Service of Ukraine)
Ukraine police open 52,613 criminal proceedings over Russian war crimes

The National Police of Ukraine Monday announced that investigators have initiated 52,613 criminal proceedings based on crimes committed on Ukrainian territory by members of the Russian Federation’s armed forces and their allies.

Authorities are investigating 41,039 cases for violation of the laws and customs of war, 9,162 for encroachment on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability, 2,224 for collaborative activities, 103 for treason and 37 for subversion. All charges align with the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) started investigating war crimes in Ukraine on March 2. However, the ICC can only bring charges against crimes committed on the territory of its 123 member states. Despite not being a member, Ukraine acknowledged the Court’s jurisdiction in 2014. Because Moscow withdrew from the ICC, the only way the court will be able to reach Russians is if they are detained in the territory of a country that recognizes the court’s jurisdiction. The ICC also lacks a police force and must rely on state parties to hold suspects, with variable degrees of success in the past.

Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Since then, Russian forces have used ground troops and airstrikes to attack and capture several regions of Ukraine. Russian forces have allegedly tortured, killed and forcefully deported a large number of Ukrainians since the start of the war. Additionally, the invasion has violated several provisions of international law.