The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a significant step in seeking justice for alleged war crimes during the conflict in Ukraine. The court has issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian officials: Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s former defense minister, and General Valery Gerasimov, its military chief of staff.
The ICC accuses Shoigu and Gerasimov of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to attacks on civilian targets. Specifically, they are held responsible for “missile strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure” between October 2022 and March 2023. These strikes caused harm to civilians and extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
Obligation and Implications
The court’s decision obligates its 123 member states to arrest the pair if they set foot on their territory and transfer them to The Hague for trial. This move underscores the pursuit of accountability for those who target civilians and essential infrastructure during armed conflicts.
Previous Warrants
In March 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on suspicion of unlawful deportation of children and unlawful transfer of people from Ukraine to Russia. The court also targeted Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, with a similar warrant.
