But a thorough investigation into their crimes in Bucha, Irpen and other Ukrainian cities is still needed. Ukraine is dotted with evidence of Russian war crimes. However, as many Ukrainians may like, no one, let alone Vladimir Putin, will spend a single day in prison serving sentences for these crimes. However, it is important that all atrocities be investigated.
Partly to honor the memory of those who were tortured, raped and killed. And also in order to expose the Kremlin's lies to the whole world, which tends to turn a blind eye to Russian fabrications, – writes The Economist. And public accusations against Russian soldiers will serve as a warning that could help curb the next round of killings.
On April 3, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova announced that 410 civilians had been killed on the outskirts of Kyiv. But, most likely, this is not the final figure. And many more bodies will be found. The Economist writes that the journalists saw the body of Mayor Motyzhin, blindfolded and shot dead along with his family, apparently by the Russian military.
“We heard details of the murder of Ukrainian men in Bucha on the orders of the Russian commander. Human Rights Watch reports that Russian soldiers threw a smoke grenade into a basement in Vorzel near Irpen and then shot a woman with a child when they went outside, “the article reads.
Read also: Steinmeier believes Putin and Russia's military command should be held accountable for crimes in Ukraine – Spiegel
Such evidence has angered the world. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Poland have accused Russia of “genocide”. US leader Joe Biden called the atrocities in Bucha a “war crime.” And the UN Secretary General asked to investigate all the killings. In some cases, this process has already begun.
Investigators are likely to find that the Russian military needs to be charged, even if they did not kill on a scale that would be considered genocide. The Geneva Convention, signed by Russia, prohibits war crimes, including arbitrary killings, infliction of severe suffering and beatings on civilians. The killings in Bucha fall into these categories. As well as the bombing of the theater in Mariupol, where the word “children” was written in Russian. And this word was big enough for Russian pilots to see. The Russian invasion itself was a crime of aggression, according to the International Criminal Court, which prosecutes people for violating international law. And large-scale Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities is a crime against humanity, according to the definition of the same International Criminal Court.
Unfortunately, international accusations are unlikely to bring Russia's war criminals to justice. The publication reminds that on March 16 Moscow was expelled from the Council of Europe. It ignores the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights. Also, since 2016, Russia has not recognized the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. This does not prevent the court from hearing cases or issuing arrest warrants for Russians. However, a UN Security Council decision is needed to force Russia to heed the court's decision. But Moscow, using its veto power, will block such an initiative.
The reaction may be the sending of additional weapons to Ukraine, as well as the introduction of new sanctions against Russia. The United States has banned new investment in Russia. The EU has proposed blocking the movement of Russian trucks and merchant ships, and has banned coal imports. The EU must do more and limit oil and gas purchases, too.
Read also: Russian war crimes against Bucha residents: full list of occupiers
Another reaction is the investigation of international courts. Russian forces have a duty to protect civilian Ukrainians, but instead treat them as instruments of war. As the West, like Ukraine, rejects Russia's view of the people as a means, it must support the courts' efforts to demonstrate that every life is valuable. The lawsuits will also shed light on Russia's lies and embarrass Putin's international supporters. Even now, the Kremlin insists that all atrocities are “fake.” And then he tried to use the UN to blame the Ukrainians for everything, calling them “Nazis.” And if the dreams of those who want the fall of Putin's regime come true, the accusations could make war criminals lose power with him. Who knows, it may happen that they will even fall behind bars.
The other day we reported that in connection with the atrocities of the Russian occupiers, which opened in the liberated Bucha, the Ukrainian side states the need for special investigation mechanism. Apparently, this is about the creation of an international hybrid tribunal.
See the special topic: Britain wants to lead the process of issuing arrest warrants for Putin and to recognize the Russian president and the Russian army as terrorists. The COVID certificate will be displayed in “Actions” for 1.5 years from the date of vaccination This will simplify the vaccination confirmation procedure for Ukrainians who have gone abroad. GUR: mobilization continues in Russia – even those who fought in Syria do not want to fight against the Armed Forces In Yekaterinburg, for example, only to talk about the possibility less than 1% of citizens agreed to sign the contract. Bloomberg: Ukraine now needs as many weapons as possible and not just defense Demonstrating support for Kyiv from the democratic world will be worthless if the West does not strengthen your help. Acer has decided to suspend work in Russia At the same time, the company called the war in Ukraine a “conflict”.
