Fact Check: Did Ukraine commit war crimes in its East

Fact Check: Did Ukraine commit war crimes in its East?

What We Know

The claim that Ukraine committed war crimes in its eastern regions is complex and requires careful examination of the context and evidence. According to the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices by the U.S. Department of State, while there are significant human rights issues involving Ukrainian officials, these are not comparable to the extensive abuses committed by Russian forces. The report highlights credible allegations of enforced disappearances, torture, and other human rights violations by both sides, but emphasizes that the scale and severity of Russian abuses far exceed those attributed to Ukraine.

The report also states that there were no confirmed instances of arbitrary or unlawful killings by the Ukrainian government or its agents during the year, although investigations into specific cases, such as the death of Denys Kireyev, were ongoing (source-2). The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented numerous cases of war crimes and human rights violations committed by Russian forces, including systematic attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure (source-4, source-6).

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim of Ukrainian war crimes is mixed. While the U.S. Department of State acknowledges that there are credible reports of human rights abuses involving Ukrainian officials, it clearly states that these issues do not reach the level of war crimes as defined under international law. The report indicates that the Ukrainian government has not systematically engaged in war crimes comparable to those committed by Russian forces, which have been characterized by widespread torture, killings, and other atrocities (source-1, source-2).

Additionally, investigations by independent bodies, such as the UN Commission of Inquiry, have focused primarily on the actions of Russian forces, finding substantial evidence of war crimes committed against civilians in Ukraine (source-6, source-7). The International Criminal Court has also issued warrants for Russian officials for war crimes, further underscoring the focus on Russian actions rather than Ukrainian (source-3, source-8).

However, the existence of human rights issues involving Ukrainian officials cannot be ignored. Reports of enforced disappearances and torture indicate that some level of misconduct has occurred within Ukrainian-controlled areas (source-2). It is essential to recognize that while these actions are serious, they do not equate to the systematic war crimes perpetrated by Russian forces.

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that Ukraine committed war crimes in its East is Partially True. While there are credible reports of human rights abuses involving Ukrainian officials, the scale and severity of these actions are significantly less than those committed by Russian forces. The context of an ongoing war, where both sides may commit violations, complicates the narrative, but the evidence strongly indicates that the primary responsibility for war crimes lies with Russia.

Sources

1. Ukraine - United States Department of State
2. PDF Ukraine 2023 Human Rights Report - U.S. Department of State
3. War Crimes in Ukraine
4. UN-backed inquiry accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine
5. Get the Latest Ukraine News Today - Kyiv Post
6. UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine finds continued war crimes and ...
7. Commission of Inquiry finds further evidence of war crimes in ...
8. Ukraine - International Criminal Court