The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two top Russian security officials, Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov and Sergei K. Shoigu, over strikes against civilian targets during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The court accused the officials of directing a campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s power plants in the winter of 2022, which resulted in expected civilian harm being excessive to any military advantage gained. While Russia’s Security Council denounced the warrants as examples of the West’s hybrid war against the country, Ukrainians welcomed the decision as a step towards ensuring accountability for the aggressor.
General Gerasimov and Mr. Shoigu, close allies of President Vladimir V. Putin and architects of the invasion of Ukraine, initially aimed to capture Ukraine’s capital quickly but failed, leading to a prolonged war of attrition. Violence and attacks on energy infrastructure have caused widespread human suffering in Ukraine, with millions displaced or seeking refuge abroad. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported a grave pattern of human rights violations against Ukrainian civilians, potentially constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity.
As Ukraine struggles with depleted air defenses, Russian assaults on energy infrastructure have intensified, resulting in daily blackouts and concerns about recovery before winter. The energy sector has suffered billions of dollars in damages, with attacks targeting electricity generation, oil, and gas infrastructure. Despite initial setbacks in the war, General Gerasimov continued to lead Russian forces in Ukraine while Mr. Shoigu was eventually replaced following a government reshuffle by Mr. Putin after a re-election victory.
The prosecution of General Gerasimov and Mr. Shoigu marks the latest in a series of charges against top Russian officials by the International Criminal Court. Previous arrest warrants were issued for Mr. Putin and Russia’s children’s rights ombudswoman for their roles in the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. The court’s top prosecutor emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, but Russia has rejected the warrants and denies committing war crimes, making it unlikely that the officials will be taken into custody in the near future.
