A growing number of civilian casualties in Ukraine have sparked accusations that Moscow has committed war crimes by bombing non-military targets in cities, as well as by alleged use of weapons that increase the risk of death and injury to civilians.
Last month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor announced the launch of an investigation into possible war crimes unfolding in Ukraine - a move welcomed by EU heads of state and government.
War crimes, under international law, include targeting civilians as well as attacks that cause civilian casualties. These include attacks on hospitals, clinics, schools, historical monuments and other major civilian sites, as well as attacks or bombings of cities, villages or homes that are unprotected and not military targets.
In most cases, proving that the killing of civilians constitutes a war crime is a very difficult process. The ICC adjudicates individuals, not states. For example, in the current conflict, Russia will not be the defendant, but Vladimir Putin may be the defendant.
Once sufficient evidence has been found that atrocities have been committed, the prosecutor may request that a ICC chamber issue an arrest warrant for Putin.
"Obviously, any prosecution requires a series of steps, including the collection of physical evidence, the interviewing and gathering of witness testimony, the gathering of information that explains the circumstances in which the crimes were committed. "And trying to do that in the context of an ongoing active war makes it difficult to do that," Marty Flacks, director of the Human Rights Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told Euronews.
If the ICC issues an arrest warrant against Putin, he will not be able to travel freely. Practically, in order for Putin and his leaders to face the ICC allegations, there would have to be regime change in Russia - the idea that Putin could be arrested by his government is not very credible.
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Sources: Euroneës, Politico
