ICC Issues Warrants for Russian Officials Over Ukraine War Crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov for alleged war crimes committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This brings the number of arrest warrants to six, including one for President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv welcomed the move, while Moscow dismissed it as legally meaningless.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Sergei Shoigu, the former Russian defense minister, and General Valery Gerasimov on allegations of war crimes committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The arrest warrants are part of a larger effort targeting senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, over actions taken since February 2022.

Kyiv has welcomed the ICC's move, seeing it as a step toward justice. However, Moscow has dismissed the warrants as legally insignificant, criticizing them as part of a hybrid war waged by the West. The court claims that Shoigu and Gerasimov directed attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC's actions are further complicated by the fact that Russia is not a member of the court and has a strict policy against extraditing its nationals. This makes the actual apprehension and prosecution of the suspects highly uncertain. The court has indicated that investigations are ongoing, hinting at more charges and warrants in the future.

(With inputs from agencies.)