AN INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION office, seen as a “truly historic” first step towards a possible trial of Russia’s leadership, was opened in The Hague today with the aim of probing a crime of aggression against Ukraine.
Kostin said a special tribunal was now “inevitable”, describing the centre as a “clear signal that the world is united and unwavering on the path to holding the Russian regime accountable for all its crimes”. Kyiv has been pushing for a special aggression tribunal since the discovery of hundreds of bodies after Russian troops withdrew from the town of Bucha near the Ukrainian capital in April last year.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan hailed the opening of the centre as a “significant day”, saying it was the “first time that I can recall” that war crimes evidence was already being gathered in the middle of a conflict. But crucial questions remain about any possible special tribunal, including how it would work, where it would be based, when it could be created and who would support it.
‘War sponsor’ Kyiv has placed British consumer goods giant Unilever on Ukraine’s “International Sponsors of War” list, claiming it continues to profit from operations in Russia, triggering demonstrations in London. On the front line Meanwhile, Ukraine has said it is making gains in the south and east over the past week in difficult fighting to dislodge Moscow’s heavily entrenched forces.