Russia-Ukraine War: Moscow Disregards ICC Warrants for Putin’s Commanders

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has taken a new turn as Moscow refuses to acknowledge arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for two high-ranking Russian commanders accused of war crimes in Ukraine. Viktor Sokolov, reportedly dismissed after successful Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian warships, and Sergei Kobylash were named by the court on Tuesday.

Russia, not being a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, rejected the warrants. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “We do not recognize this,” highlighting that Russia does not consider itself bound by the ICC’s jurisdiction. This marks the second instance of arrest warrants related to the war in Ukraine, following a previous one issued for President Vladimir Putin and his children’s rights envoy.

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Peskov dismissed the ICC’s decision, mentioning ongoing closed processes and emphasizing Russia’s non-signatory status to the Rome Statute. The likelihood of Russian nationals being extradited to face charges is deemed low.

The ICC’s latest warrants allege that Kobylash and Sokolov directed missile strikes against Ukrainian electric infrastructure between October 2022 and March 2023. The court contends that these attacks caused civilian harm and excessive damage compared to any military advantage, constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Kobylash, the former commander of long-range aviation for the Russian air force, and Sokolov, a former admiral in the Russian navy who commanded the Black Sea Fleet during the specified period, have not publicly commented on the issue. Sokolov’s reported dismissal follows successful Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian warships.

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While Moscow has denied targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the ICC’s actions, emphasizing accountability for those ordering strikes against civilians. The ICC, responsible for investigating and prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, intervenes when national authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute.

In March of the previous year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for President Putin and Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, related to alleged unlawful deportations of children from Ukraine to Russia. Moscow rejected the allegations as “outrageous.”

Source: BBC News

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