Zelenskyy reveals documented number of war crimes by Russians in Ukraine
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: president.gov.ua)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that over 110,000 violations by Russian aggressors of laws and customs of war have been documented on Ukrainian territory, according to the President's Facebook page.
President Zelenskyy emphasizes the importance of documenting the war crimes committed by the occupiers for further judicial prosecution and punishment.
"Compiling the proper evidence base for all the atrocities committed by Russians on our land is a highly responsible and historically significant work. I am grateful to everyone involved in it," he said.
Zelenskyy also highlights significant progress in cooperation between Ukrainian prosecutors and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Particularly, following the opening of the ICC office in Kyiv, Ukrainian experts can now work "on a daily basis" with international specialists.
"I will also note the opening of the International Center for Prosecution for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine in the Netherlands, in The Hague," the head of state said.
He adds that this joint and labor-intensive work aims to coordinate and preserve evidence against Russian criminals for judicial proceedings that are bound to occur.
"It is crucial that Ukrainian prosecution authorities promptly investigate all acts of terror, shelling, and abuse that Russia has committed and continues to commit in various Ukrainian regions," the President emphasized.
According to Zelenskyy, individuals responsible for criminal orders, both in the Russian army and the political environment, are being promptly identified. Cases of abduction and illegal deportation of Ukrainian children by the occupiers are also under investigation.
"There are already arrest warrants for Putin (Russian dictator Vladimir Putin - Ed.) and others responsible for this full-scale criminal operation," he reminded.
Russian war crimes in Ukraine
During the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian army regularly commits war crimes. Several Western countries have condemned the Kremlin for these actions and pledged to punish all those involved in these crimes.
Recently, a United Nations investigative commission announced that it had found additional evidence of Russian military aggression and war crimes in Ukraine, including rape and deportation of children to Russia.
It was also reported that the United States would provide $1 million to the International Center for the Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression against Ukraine, established in The Hague.
Additionally, Europol has recently formed a new operational task force (OTF) to assist in investigating war crimes in Ukraine.
