Moscow, June 26, 2024 — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants against Russian Army Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

According to a press release by the ICC, confirmed by the British news agency Reuters, Gerasimov and Shoigu are accused of conducting attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, resulting in severe civilian casualties. The ICC has charged both officials with two counts of war crimes.

The court found sufficient grounds to hold Gerasimov and Shoigu responsible for the Russian Armed Forces' missile attacks on Ukraine's electrical infrastructure from October 10, 2022, to March 9, 2023. These attacks led to significant disruption and suffering among the civilian population.

As of now, Russian authorities have not commented on the arrest warrants. It is important to note that Russia is not a member of the Hague-based ICC and has consistently argued that Ukraine's energy infrastructure was a legitimate military target, denying any intention to harm civilians or civilian infrastructure.

Ukrainian officials have welcomed the ICC's decision. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, stated that the ICC's move represents a significant step forward in seeking justice for the victims of the conflict.

This development follows previous actions by the ICC, including an arrest warrant issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin faces charges related to the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, which the ICC considers a war crime.

In total, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for eight senior Russian officials, including Putin, Shoigu, and Gerasimov, reflecting the international community's increasing pressure on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

In a related context, the ICC has also threatened to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Despite these threats, Israel and its Western allies have largely dismissed the ICC's actions, indicating the complex geopolitical landscape in which the court operates.

The ICC's latest move to issue arrest warrants for high-ranking Russian military officials underscores the ongoing international efforts to hold those responsible for war crimes accountable. As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, the international community remains vigilant in its pursuit of justice for those affected by the conflict.