Editor’s note: This is a breaking story and will continue to be updated.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, and Secretary of the Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, for war crimes in Ukraine. Shoigu, who was Russia’s Defense Minister during the alleged crimes, and Gerasimov are charged with directing attacks at civilian objects and causing harm to civilians. The charges stem from Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure between October 2022 and March 2023. The ICC found that these strikes targeted civilian objects and caused excessive civilian harm.
Earlier, arrest warrants were issued against lower-ranking Russian commanders for similar war crimes. The devastating attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure resulted in significant damages and widespread power outages. The energy workers in Ukraine have been working tirelessly to repair the damaged infrastructure. The ICC’s actions highlight the gravity of the situation and the need for accountability for those responsible for the atrocities in Ukraine.