Violation of International Humanitarian Law and Forced Deportation of Ukrainian Сhildren by the Russian Federation during Russian Ukrainian War
Abstract
The international armed conflict that Russia started against Ukraine became a horrific event not only in the recent history of Ukraine but, to a certain extent, in the life of Europe and the whole world. The Russian annexation of Crimea, "hybrid" warfare that is the combination of conventional and irregular tactics of war, such as using of mass communication, fake-news and propaganda, the invasion of Luhansk and Donetsk in 2014, and, as a result, a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, caused the radical transformation of the international political landscape of Europe. This work is aimed to describe shortly the violation of international humanitarian law, human rights law, the laws and customs of warfare, and other international crimes committed by Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine after the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. This research pays special attention to the analysis of the illegal forced displacement and/or deportation of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine to different regions of the Russian Federation. Considering various thoughts and opinions from both sides, this essay analyzes the underlying reasons for the displacement and further deportation of Ukrainian children by the aggressor describing the effects this traumatic experience already has on the Ukrainian children and Ukrainian society. The analysis of different documents accepted by international organizations and statements of responsible authority's representatives can help to understand the attitude of the world’s community to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its reaction to the crimes committed against Ukrainians, especially when we talk about children, the most vulnerable human category during the war aggression. The correct qualification and documentation of the committed crimes from the very beginning of the invasion and during the active phase of hostilities that are now happening on the territory of Ukraine can help in the future to bring justice to the responsible parties regardless of their level of involvement. The leader of the country who started the war, its military leadership that supports him and the soldiers who directly commit all the atrocities on the territory of Ukraine must be punished for their actions. Such crimes must not be repeated in human history. They should become a part of the national memory not only of Ukraine but also of all war-affected and unaffected countries. Furthermore, as far as the aggressor is concerned, there should be a solid awareness of personal and collective responsibility for what has been committed to prevent the aggressor from repeating such atrocities again.