The Hague, Netherlands – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov for alleged international crimes, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. These warrants come as a response to their alleged roles in directing attacks on civilian objects and causing excessive harm to civilians during the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian authorities have yet to comment on the ICC’s decision, while Ukrainian officials have welcomed the announcement. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of holding these officials accountable, stating that no military rank or position would shield them from justice. Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets also expressed support for the ICC’s decision, highlighting the country’s pursuit of justice.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, emphasized the individual responsibility of Shoigu and Gerasimov in the alleged crimes. While the arrest warrants place the two officials on the ICC’s wanted list, it remains uncertain whether they will ever face trial, especially considering the unlikelihood of Moscow handing them over.
The ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Shoigu and Gerasimov adds to the list of top Russian officials wanted for war crimes. Previously, warrants were issued for President Vladimir Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova for their alleged involvement in a scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. The ICC operates independently and is governed by the Rome Statute, with most countries being parties to the treaty.
Sergei Shoigu, a close ally of Putin, was Russia’s defense minister for 12 years until his recent replacement. He led the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, showcasing the weaknesses of Moscow’s military. Valery Gerasimov, on the other hand, has been at the helm of Russia’s armed forces for over a decade and played a key role in planning the invasion.
The ICC’s investigation found that Shoigu and Gerasimov ordered strikes against civilian objects, constituting war crimes under international humanitarian laws. The judges concluded that the harm caused to civilians outweighed any military advantage in targeting these objects. The court’s prosecutor emphasized that the actions of Shoigu and Gerasimov could amount to crimes against humanity, reserved for the most serious offenses against civilian populations in conflict situations.