On Tuesday, the International Criminal Court approved arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian leaders for purportedly committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Army Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash and Navy Admiral Viktor Sokolov are under suspicion for committing crimes in the months of October 2022 to March 2023.

The court in The Hague has stated that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the male individuals were accountable for launching missiles at Ukrainian electric infrastructure, resulting in harm to civilians.

While Russia claims not to have intentionally targeted civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, the ICC stated that the documented attacks were unjustified and went beyond any potential military benefits. As outlined by the Geneva Conventions and international court protocols, harmful actions against civilians are strictly prohibited.

According to the court, both men are accused of committing the war crime of intentionally targeting civilian entities and the crime against humanity of cruel and inhumane actions.

The decision by the International Criminal Court was welcomed by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On the social media platform X, he stated that any Russian commander who directs attacks on Ukrainian civilians and essential infrastructure will face consequences with the law.

This is not the initial occurrence of warrants being issued for officials involved in the Ukraine conflict.

An arrest order was released for President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova on charges of committing war crimes in connection with the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. The Russian government denies these allegations.

Russia’s response to the warrant was the Kremlin stating that they do not accept the authority of the ICC.

This report has received information from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

Source: voanews.com