The International Criminal Court recently issued arrest warrants for two top Russian security officials, Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov and Sergei K. Shoigu, over strikes against civilian targets in Ukraine. The court accused them of directing a campaign of strikes against power plants in Ukraine in the winter of 2022. The court deemed the civilian harm resulting from these strikes to be excessive compared to any possible military advantage. Although Russia dismissed the warrants as part of a Western hybrid war against them, Ukrainians welcomed the news as a step towards holding the aggressor accountable. The court’s decision was praised as a clear indication that justice for Russian crimes against Ukrainians is inevitable.
General Gerasimov and Mr. Shoigu, both loyalists of President Vladimir V. Putin, were key figures in planning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their initial plans to quickly conquer Ukraine’s capital failed, leading to a prolonged conflict that has claimed thousands of lives. The Russian military commanders also targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread human suffering and displacements. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, facing dire living conditions and threats to their safety. Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have caused substantial damages and losses, impacting millions of people, leading to concerns about the country’s ability to recover before winter.
As the conflict in Ukraine escalated, Russia intensified its assaults on energy infrastructure, significantly reducing the country’s energy generating capacity. Millions of people now face daily blackouts and limited access to essential services, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis. The Kyiv School of Economics estimated that the damages to the energy sector from Russia’s invasion totaled $56.5 billion as of May. The ongoing attacks on electricity generation and transmission facilities have further exacerbated the situation, with urgent efforts needed to restore the energy supply before winter. Despite Russia’s military setbacks early in the war, General Gerasimov and Mr. Shoigu remained instrumental in leading the war effort until recent developments.
General Gerasimov took on a more prominent role in leading Russia’s forces in Ukraine in January 2023, while Mr. Shoigu was eventually removed from his position after a government reshuffle following Mr. Putin’s re-election. The Kremlin’s decision to replace Mr. Shoigu was seen as a critique of his performance during the war, with several of his protégés facing charges or losing their jobs in a subsequent purge of the Defense Ministry. Mr. Shoigu, who served as Russia’s defense minister for 12 years, was reassigned to a lower-profile role at the Security Council. These changes reflect the evolving dynamics within the Russian leadership amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against General Gerasimov and Mr. Shoigu are part of broader efforts to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. The court previously issued arrest warrants for Mr. Putin and other Russian officials, accusing them of abducting and deporting Ukrainian children. While the court’s actions have been met with denials and refusals from Russia, international prosecutors emphasize the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. Despite the unlikely prospect of General Gerasimov and Mr. Shoigu being taken into custody, the court’s decisions contribute to ongoing efforts to address human rights violations in Ukraine and promote justice.
