U.S. Declares Russia Has Committed War Crimes In Ukraine

Topline

Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, issuing a statement that blasted Russia for ‘deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities” less than a week after President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal.”

A Ukrainian soldier seen patrolling a bomb site during military curfew in Kyiv after the Retroville … [+] mall was bombed by a Russian missile on March 21, 2022. (Photo by Alex Chan Tsz Yuk/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Key Facts

In a statement, Blinken cited “numerous credible reports” of indiscriminate attacks and attacks targeting Ukrainian civilians, such as strikes in Mariupol on a maternity hospital and a drama theater marked with the Russian word for “children” written in large white letters visible from the sky.

Blinken said the U.S. is “committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions,” though he noted a court of law with jurisdiction over the crime is “ultimately responsible” for determining guilt.

The U.S. declaration comes after multiple U.S. officials, including Biden, Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine war crimes.

Big Number

977. That’s how many civilians have died since the invasion began, according to the U.N, including 81 children. Another 1,594 have been injured. The U.N. said most of the casualties occurred due to “explosive weapons with a wide impact area,” and that the organization believes the actual figures are “considerably higher.”

Crucial Quote

“Russia’s forces have destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded,” Blinken said in a statement. “Many of the sites Russia’s forces have hit have been clearly identifiable as in-use by civilians.”

What To Watch For

The International Criminal Court has opened an investigation into Russia’s potential war crimes in Ukraine, but it is unlikely for Putin or other Russian officials to face consequences. ICC investigations often move slowly due to difficulties obtaining and verifying evidence. The court also cannot try people in absentia, meaning Russia would have to extradite the individuals to be tried, or they would have to be arrested in a country that recognizes the court’s authority.

Key Background

The White House had criticized Russian attacks as “atrocities,” but had not previously called them war crimes. Press Secretary Jen Psaki said earlier this month the Biden Administration was waiting for a “legal assessment” before making any claims. War crimes are broadly defined under international law, and include wilfully killing, causing suffering, unlawful property destruction and intentionally targeting civilian populations and infrastructure, according to the U.N. Dozens of countries and world leaders have called Russia’s actions in Ukraine war crimes, or called for an investigation into alleged war crimes, following reports of Russia bombing hospitals and other civilian targets, attacking nuclear facilities and using thermobaric weapons.