Ukraine files in absentia charges against Chechen leader Kadyrov

According to the case materials, during a speech to Russian propagandists, Kadyrov stated that he had instructed his subordinates not to take Ukrainian soldiers prisoner, but to shoot them on the battlefield.

The investigation found that Kadyrov's orders were directed at commanders of Chechen fighters serving in Russian units fighting against Ukraine.

He also ordered that Ukrainian prisoners held in Chechnya be placed on the roofs of military facilities in Grozny, effectively proposing to use detained combatants as human shields against drone attacks by the Defense Forces.

Such statements violate the laws and customs of war applied in armed conflicts under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Based on new evidence, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has filed an in absentia indictment against Kadyrov under Part 1, Article 438 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (war crimes). Comprehensive measures are underway to hold him accountable.

SBU puts Kadyrov on a wanted list

In 2022, the SBU declared Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov wanted. According to the SBU, Kadyrov is considered "a person evading pre-trial investigation authorities."

He is suspected of threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as waging an aggressive war.

In December last year, a video emerged online showing Kadyrov interacting with Ukrainian prisoners of war. Following this, Ukraine contacted the International Committee of the Red Cross.

According to Artur Dobroserdov, Commissioner for Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances, the prisoners Kadyrov interacted with could have been in Chechnya. There is confirmation that only some of the defenders shown in the video are in captivity.