The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday said it had issued arrest warrants for Russia's top army chief and ex-defense minister over strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure that constituted alleged war crimes.

The Hague

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two Russian officials over attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets. Former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Military Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC accuses them of directing attacks on civilian objects and causing excessive incidental harm to civilians. 

All charges are related to strikes against Ukraine's electrical grid from October 2022 to March 2023. Sergei Shoigu, a long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was replaced earlier this year in one of Russia's biggest shakeups since the start of the war. General Valery Gerasimov took over as the commander of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the warrants, describing the decision as a clear indication that justice for Russian crimes against Ukrainians is inevitable. Russia is not a member of the ICC and maintains that Ukraine's energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target. Russia's Security Council has dismissed the arrest warrant for Sergei Shoigu as insignificant and part of what it calls a hybrid war against Moscow. 

There are now eight ICC arrest warrants issued against senior Russian officials related to the war, including one for President Putin.



ICC issues arrest warrants for two top Russian officials

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two Russian officials over attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets. Former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Military Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, the ICC accusing them of directing attacks at civilian objects and causing excessive incidental harm to civilians. All charges are related to strikes against Ukraine's electrical grid from October 2022 to March 2023. Sergei Shoigu is a long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Defense Minister. He was replaced earlier this year in one of Russia's biggest shakeups since the start of the war. General Valery Gerasimov took over as the commander of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the warrants, saying, This decision is a clear indication that justice for Russian crimes against Ukrainians is inevitable. Russia is not a member of the ICC and has repeatedly said Ukraine's energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target. Russia's Security Council called the arrest warrant for Sergei Shoigu insignificant and part of what it says is a hybrid war against Moscow. There are now eight ICC arrest warrants issued against senior Russian officials related to the war, including President Putin.

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Ukraine Invasion