ICC Issues Arrest Warrants Against 2 Russian Officers Over Attacks On Ukraine's Infrastructure

What are the allegations against the Commanders?

The two individuals, respectively the Commander of Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force and the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet, are accused of directing attacks at civilian objects and causing excessive incidental harm to civilians or damage to civilian infrastructure. Additionally, they face charges of committing crimes against humanity, specifically inhumane acts, under Article 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute.

According to the ICC, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the suspects bear individual criminal responsibility for missile strikes on the Ukrainian electric infrastructure during the specified period. The attacks allegedly targeted numerous power plants and substations, with the court finding that the civilian harm and damage caused were clearly excessive to any anticipated military advantage.

Amnesty International's Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, and Policy, Erika Guevara Rosas, commended the ICC's pursuit of top military officials, emphasizing that the warrants serve notice that individuals alleged to have committed war crimes will be brought to justice, regardless of their rank. She urged the international community to ensure the immediate arrest and surrender of Kobylash and Sokolov to the ICC if they leave Russia.

Challenges and Prospects for Trial

While the ICC issued arrest warrants to address the alleged war crimes, there is little prospect that the suspects will be turned over to face trial in The Hague. Russia, not being a member of the global court, refuses to recognize its jurisdiction and does not hand over individuals charged by the ICC.