How Russia violates international law by invading Ukraine

Abstract

Abstract. Since February 24, 2022, russia has engaged in full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Despite the Russian army's failure to achieve the initial goals set by the Kremlin at the beginning of the invasion, the war against Ukraine has persisted for over 600 days. Tragically, it has resulted in the loss of almost 10 thousand civilian lives (excluding data from the occupied territories) and forced approximately 8 million citizens to flee Ukraine. The author emphasizes, that russia-Ukraine war opened a Pandora’s Box, because not only will it influence the parties of the conflict, but also it will definitely reshape the world in the next decades. The article explores the ways in which the Russian government violates international law through its attacks on Ukraine. Despite russia's attempts to justify its actions under self-defense or humanitarian intervention, the analysis finds these claims unsubstantiated, categorizing Russia's actions as aggression, war crimes, and potentially genocide. A crucial aspect is the manipulation of international law by russia to legitimize its actions. The article analyzes the concept of "authoritarian international law," where dictatorial regimes exploit legal norms for self-interest. Russia's narrative, framing the invasion as a special military operation and responding to alleged genocide, clearly constitutes an abuse of international legal principles. The article outlines the repercussions for Russia, including exclusion from international bodies and substantial sanctions. Legal measures, such as the International Court of Justice's provisional measures and a UN resolution demanding compensation, indicate a collective international response to hold Russia accountable. Despite these legal responses, the article acknowledges challenges in achieving justice. Russia's likely refusal to recognize jurisdiction and potential obstacles to compensation efforts prompt the proposal of a multilateral mechanism involving states controlling frozen Russian assets.