Russian unmanned aerial vehicles bombarding minivan in Ukraine
In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, investigations into possible war crimes have been underway, with multiple documented incidents of extrajudicial killings, torture, and targeting of civilians reported, particularly in areas around Kyiv and Chernihiv.
Early in 2022, reports surfaced of Russian forces executing civilians, summarily killing defenders, and destroying civilian infrastructure in towns such as Staryi Bykiv, Novyi Bykiv, Peremoha, Borodianka, and areas near Kyiv. Human Rights Watch and others documented these events with witness testimony and visual evidence like drone footage revealing executions of civilians with hands raised and bodies found burned along roadsides.
In April-May 2022, Ukrainian authorities found hundreds of civilian bodies in Kyiv Oblast alone, many appearing to have been executed. Over 1,200 bodies had been recovered in the region by mid-May 2022, including reports of torture and mass graves, consistent with deliberate targeting of civilians or prisoners.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) launched investigations into crimes against humanity, war crimes, abduction of children, and genocide allegations related to the invasion, starting in early 2022 and continuing as the conflict progressed. Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office also continued to open probes, such as one in August 2025 concerning the shooting of evacuating civilians. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated it was working on over 300 reports with prima facie evidence of deliberate killings, including intercepted Russian military communications planning mass graves.
Amid the conflict and occupation, human rights groups reported extrajudicial trials, torture, rape, and cultural repression in areas controlled by Russia, complicating the collection of evidence and posing ongoing humanitarian concerns.
These investigations are ongoing, with evidence gathering supported by international bodies, local prosecutors, NGOs, and media, revealing a pattern of systematic abuses attributed to Russian forces. The extent and nature of the crimes are under continuous documentation with an emphasis on accountability during and after the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine conflict continues, with ongoing military operations and allegations of war crimes. The State Prosecutor's Office of the Kherson region has initiated an investigation for possible war crimes following a minibus attack that resulted in two deaths and six injuries in Kherson.
As diplomatic efforts continue, high-ranking representatives of Ukraine, the USA, and Europe will meet before the planned summit between US President Trump and Russian President Putin in the UK. The upcoming meeting between the two leaders is expected to focus on options for a "long-term, peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis."
References:
[1] Amnesty International. (2022). Ukraine: Investigate war crimes in Bucha and other towns around Kyiv. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/04/ukraine-investigate-war-crimes-in-bucha-and-other-towns-around-kyiv/
[2] Human Rights Watch. (2022). Ukraine: Investigate War Crimes in Bucha and Other Towns. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/01/ukraine-investigate-war-crimes-bucha-and-other-towns
[3] United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner. (2022). Ukraine: Investigate war crimes in Bucha and other towns. [online] Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27368&LangID=E
- Given the escalating allegations of war crimes in Ukraine, the community policy, as well as national and international employment policies, should prioritize the recruitment and deployment of investigators and forensic specialists to assess evidence and document crimes.
- The ongoing investigations into war crimes in Ukraine have highlighted the importance of a strong employment policy within political news organizations to ensure accurate and timely coverage of the conflict, its consequences, and efforts towards accountability.
