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Ukraine's Zelensky hails ICC arrest warrants for two Russian commanders

06.03.2024 08:30
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian military officers suspected of war crimes in his country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.Photo: PAP/EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS

The International Criminal Court on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for Sergei Kobylash, a Russian army general, and Viktor Sokolov, a navy admiral, over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, news outlets reported.

The court said there were reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects were responsible for "missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure."

It added that the attacks caused civilian harm and damage, British broadcaster BBC reported.

The two top commanders "are each allegedly responsible for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects" and are also accused of the "crime against humanity of inhumane acts," the court said, as quoted by the BBC.

"Today, the International Criminal Court has taken another step – arrest warrants have been issued for two more representatives of the Russian leadership, this time – military leadership," Zelensky said in his daily video address on Tuesday, as quoted by Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.

"Commanders of the Russian murderers – Long-Range Aviation and Black Sea Fleet of the terrorist state," Zelensky added. "In particular, they have carried out and are carrying out a terrorist campaign against our state and people targeting our energy sector and civilian infrastructure."

He further stated: "These are obvious crimes – Russia's war crimes and crimes against humanity. And this is exactly what the International Criminal Court is addressing in a principled fashion."

'Russian murderers will be held accountable'

"Once international justice starts working, it cannot be stopped." Zelensky told the nation.

"Justice for Ukraine, for Ukrainians, and for the international community as a whole will definitely be restored," he said.

"Russian murderers will be held accountable – there is no doubt about it," he added.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Wednesday is day 742 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: Ukrinform, president.gov.ua, bbc.com