The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Sergei Shoigu, the former Russian defense minister, and leading Russian general Valery Gerasimov, citing alleged crimes committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Shoigu, recently removed from his defense minister position and appointed Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, faces accusations alongside Gerasimov for directing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The ICC announced on Tuesday that there are reasonable grounds to believe the two were responsible for missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s electric infrastructure from October 10, 2022, to March 9, 2023.
According to the ICC, these strikes predominantly targeted civilian objects, which the court argues were disproportionate to any anticipated military advantage, thus constituting war crimes. The Hague-based tribunal stated that the attacks directed by Shoigu and Gerasimov led to significant civilian harm and damage, making them liable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Russia, which is not a member of the ICC, has repeatedly asserted that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target and has denied intentionally targeting civilians. Despite Ukraine also not being an ICC member, it has granted the court jurisdiction to prosecute crimes on its territory.
These latest warrants bring the total number of senior Russian officials targeted by ICC arrest warrants since the invasion began to eight, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is suspected of war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
Shoigu, recently removed from his defense minister position and appointed Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, faces accusations alongside Gerasimov for directing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The ICC announced on Tuesday that there are reasonable grounds to believe the two were responsible for missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s electric infrastructure from October 10, 2022, to March 9, 2023.
According to the ICC, these strikes predominantly targeted civilian objects, which the court argues were disproportionate to any anticipated military advantage, thus constituting war crimes. The Hague-based tribunal stated that the attacks directed by Shoigu and Gerasimov led to significant civilian harm and damage, making them liable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Russia, which is not a member of the ICC, has repeatedly asserted that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target and has denied intentionally targeting civilians. Despite Ukraine also not being an ICC member, it has granted the court jurisdiction to prosecute crimes on its territory.
These latest warrants bring the total number of senior Russian officials targeted by ICC arrest warrants since the invasion began to eight, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is suspected of war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
