Russia racks up nearly 200,000 war crimes in Ukraine since full-scale invasion
The Office of the Prosecutor General considers this number of war crimes as genocide against the Ukrainian nation (Photo: Getty Images)
Since the start of the full-scale war, Russia has committed over 190,000 war crimes in Ukraine. According to the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General, 1,029 Russian military personnel have been charged.
Since the beginning of the invasion, more than 190,000 war crimes have been recorded, with both perpetrators and the Russian leadership held accountable. During this period, 1,029 Russian servicemen have been charged, 747 indictments have been submitted to court, and 206 individuals have already been convicted.
Deputy Prosecutor General Andriy Leshchenko, who met with representatives of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, made the following statement:
“What we see is a planned state policy aimed at the destruction of the Ukrainian nation. That is why our investigations focus not only on the perpetrators but primarily on the political and military leadership of the aggressor state,” he emphasized.
Attacks on civilians by Russia are increasing
Yuriy Rudy, the head of the Department for Countering Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict, reported a rise in attacks on civilians and the ongoing investigations.
According to him, in just the first nine months of this year, over 5,100 drone attacks on civilians were recorded - twice as many as in all of 2024. He noted that such actions bear the characteristics of crimes against humanity.
The parties also discussed the latest report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. The document records numerous cases of force used against civilians in temporarily occupied and frontline areas, including systematic drone attacks and instances of deportations.
Meeting participants emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and data sharing to ensure the full and objective documentation of Russia’s war crimes.
Justice for Russia
Six months ago, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, signed an agreement to establish a Special Tribunal to prosecute crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
At that time, Zelenskyy stated that all Russian war criminals, including Putin, would be brought to justice.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has recognized Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as guilty of committing war crimes against Ukraine. His close associates, who participated in planning and executing the aggression, are also being held accountable.
In March 2023, the ICC issued international arrest warrants for Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. They are accused of illegally deporting civilians and children from Ukraine to Russia.
Additionally, the Kremlin leader and his inner circle are accused of systematic attacks on civilians, deportations, and other crimes against humanity. ICC rulings confirm their personal and political responsibility for these actions.
