VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW VIS A VIS DISPUTE BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA

Abstract

“War determines who is left, not who is right.” The Ukraine-Russia conflict began in 2014 and has been a source of ongoing tension and violence in the region. Both sides' violation of international humanitarian law (IHL) has been a major concern, with civilians often bearing the brunt of the violence. One of the main violations of IHL in this conflict has been targeting civilians. Both sides have been accused of deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and homes. This is a clear violation of the principle of distinction, which requires parties to a conflict to distinguish between military targets and civilian objects and to only attack military targets. The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia highlights the challenges of enforcing international humanitarian law in a complex and protracted conflict. While both sides have made commitments to abide by IHL, the reality on the ground has often been very different. The lack of accountability for violations of IHL has also been a major obstacle, with both sides often refusing to acknowledge their responsibility for such violations. The violation of international humanitarian law in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has had devastating consequences for civilians in the region. Both sides have been accused of targeting civilians, using indiscriminate weapons, mistreating prisoners, and denying humanitarian access to those in need. The displacement of civilians and allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity have further compounded the humanitarian toll of the war. This paper tries to analyse the concept and violation of International Humanitarian law vis a vis the Ukraine-Russia war.