International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Russian Army Chief Valery Gerasimov and Former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
Based on the evaluation by the relevant pre-trial body, there are "solid grounds to suspect that the two accused individuals are responsible for the Russian military's rocket strikes on Ukraine's power grid infrastructure" starting from October 10, 2022, at the very least, up until March 9, 2023.
These attacks were directed at "civilian facilities," the court clarified. Even if classified as potential military targets, the harm inflicted upon the civilian populace outweighed the anticipated military gain.
Ukraine celebrated the issuance of arrest warrants as a "significant move." "Shoigu and Gerasimov are individually answerable," wrote Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, on Telegram. "Everyone will face justice for the evil they've perpetrated."
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has been probing serious crimes such as war crimes since 2002. It launched investigations immediately following the commencement of the Russian military attack on Ukraine in February 2022. In March 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The arrest warrant against Putin was issued for the "illegal deportation" of Ukrainian children to Russia.
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- In response to the arrest warrants issued by The Hague's International Criminal Court, the Russian Army Chief, Valery Gerasimov, and ex-Minister Sergei Shoigu, have been accused of being responsible for the rocket strikes on Ukraine's power grid infrastructure.
- The Ukrainian Presidential Administration expressed satisfaction over the arrest warrants, with Andriy Yermak stating, "Shoigu and Gerasimov are individually answerable for the evil they've perpetrated."
- Despite these arrest warrants, it is increasingly uncertain if Gerasimov and Shoigu will ever face their day in court, as Russia has historically refused to cooperate with The Hague's International Criminal Court.
- The Hague's International Criminal Court has been actively investigating war crimes committed since 2002, including those related to the Russian military's actions in Ukraine, with an arrest warrant also issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes.
- In the wake of the arrest warrants for Gerasimov and Shoigu, the Russian Army Chief and ex-Defense Minister have, thus far, continued their roles in the Russian army hierarchy with no signs of resignation or departure.
