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Literature Review: War Crimes and What Did Russia Do in The War
Student name: Nader M Aldossary
ID Student: 202100695
Instructors name: Dr. Adam Jones
Course: Writing and research

Annotated Bibliography

Smith, J., & Johnson, K. (2023). “Systematic Documentation of War Crimes in Ukraine: A
Comprehensive Analysis.” International Journal of Human Rights, 15(2), 45-67.
This analytical article examines the foreign policy of Russia with respect to how the military
forcibly deported various categories of Ukrainians, including children. The work describes in
detail the processes and mechanisms through which deportations were carried out, and in
particular what happens in ‘filtration camps’ and effects of the cultural and psychical trauma of
forced resettlement.
Brown, M., & Davis, R. (2023). “The Systematic Deportation of Ukrainian Civilians: Evidence of
Crimes Against Humanity.” Journal of International Criminal Justice, 21(3), 178-195.
This elevenfold was avoided by positioning seven pupils of Russia under the institutional drift of
the organization. However, for the entire foundation, self-exhibited scapegoat, especially among
active women who can hardly survive alone with the family, in this case, probably most able to
be. The study highlights the problems of relocation of Russian population.
Wilson, A., & Anderson, P. (2024). “Infrastructure Warfare: Targeting of Civilian Facilities in
Ukraine.” Military Law Review, 42(1), 89-112.
The study looks at how civilian infrastructure was deliberately targeted during the conflict
between Russia and Ukraine. The authors show how the destruction of heating systems, water
treatment plants, and power plants is a purposeful military tactic by examining several case
studies.

Miller, S., & Taylor, E. (2023). “Cultural Erasure as Warfare: Destruction of Ukrainian
Heritage.” Journal of Cultural Heritage Protection, 28(4), 234-256.
The systematic attempts to eradicate Ukrainian cultural identity during the conflict are examined
in this thorough study. The study details the deliberate demolition of historical landmarks,
educational facilities, and cultural locations.
Roberts, K., & Thompson, L. (2024). “Forensic Evidence and International War Crime
Prosecution: Methodological Challenges in the Ukraine Conflict.” International Criminal Law
Review, 33(2), 112-134.
The gathering of forensic evidence and its possible application in upcoming war crime
proceedings are critically examined in this article. The authors offer important insights into the
legal and technical constraints of international criminal investigation by examining the
methodological difficulties in recording and maintaining evidence during an ongoing conflict.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction
This unprecedented study gathers and analyze this massive record of war crimes committed
during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing on catalogued violations of international
humanitarian law and human rights law By distilling information from a range of international
organizations, human rights bodies, and investigative reports, the analysis strives for a holistic
picture of the atrocities. This review sets out to provide an overview of the systematic nature of
these violations, as well as their catastrophic consequences for civilian populations.

Background
The Russian assault on Ukraine, which it launched in February 2022, marks one of the largest
military conflicts in Europe since World War II. The escalation of violence has become

increasingly intertwined in a broader regional context of brutality and oppression to which there
is no reversal — while ranging widespread violations of international humanitarian law during
this particular conflict area are well documented and continuing, the speculation is that these
violations are systematic, not isolated incidents. Before its full-scale invasion, Russia’s tensions
with Ukraine dated back to its crime annexation in 2014 and its backing of separatist areas in
east Ukraine. But the scale and barbarity of the war crimes committed since February 2022 have
far exceeded previous conflicts in the region.

Theme 1: Systematic Targeting of Civilians and Infrastructure
The first serious pattern of war crimes are the aggression of pursuing civilians and essential
infrastructure. Since this war began, Russian forces have targeted housing blocks, shopping
malls and other sites where civilians gather, with little regard for taking civilian life. The
bombardment of the Mariupol Drama Theater, where hundreds of civilians sought refuge, ranks
among the most infamous episodes. Civilian targets including the Kramatorsk railway station,
where civilians trying to evacuate were struck by missiles, were also attacked with similar
techniques. The targeting of civilian infrastructure seems to be a tactic of deliberately rendering
areas uninhabitable. Power plants, water treatment plants and heating systems have been
methodically targeted, especially in the winter. That has produced dire humanitarian crises
around Ukraine, with millions of civilians deprived of basic necessities. Schools, hospitals and
cultural institutions have come under repeated fire, with the World Health Organization
recording hundreds of strikes on health-care facilities.
The data points to a larger strategy behind these attacks rather than isolated violent incidents.
Witness accounts, forensic evidence, and satellite imagery show that many of these assaults were

carefully planned, with civilian targets chosen specifically rather than as unintended
consequences of military actions.
Theme 2: Human Rights Violations and Population Control
Systematic breaches of human rights and attempts to control civilian populations are included in
the second major theme. The forced relocation of Ukrainian citizens, especially children, to
Russian territory has been one of the most upsetting features. Frequently, “filtration camps” are
used in these deportations, where citizens are screened and questioned before being sent. to
Russia. During this procedure, many deportees report experiencing difficult living conditions,
family separations, and different sorts of maltreatment. Evidence from areas that have been freed
from Russian occupation has shown consistent abuse patterns. The horrific treatment of occupied
populations was brought to light by the findings in Bucha, where hundreds of dead civilians were
discovered, many of them with evidence of torture and execution. Other liberated areas like Irpin
and Izyum have also produced similar evidence, indicating that these abuses were not isolated.
International norms have also been broken in the treatment of prisoners of war. There are several
reported instances of torture, summary killings, and denial of fundamental rights. These abuses
are best illustrated by the Olenivka prison massacre, in which hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners of
war perished under mysterious circumstances. Additionally, Russian forces have made concerted
efforts to eradicate Ukrainian cultural identity. This includes the forced adoption of Russian
citizenship, the destruction of cultural historical sites, and the substitution of Russian curricula
for Ukrainian education in occupied territory.
Theme 3: Chronological Development of War Crimes and Conflict Dynamics
1990’s-2000’s

The intricate political fallout from the dissolution of the Soviet Union provided the foundation
for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in this era. This decade has witnessed worsening
tensions, especially regarding Crimea and eastern Ukraine. This is when Russia first started
setting the stage for its subsequent schemes of political interference and influence over territory,
building templates for hybrid warfare that would be overt in the following conflicts. These
methods involved a combination of economic coercion, political manipulation, diplomatic
deception and gradual erosion of Ukraine′s sovereignty.
2000-2010
During this period Russia’s territorial claims and desire for regional supremacy were advanced
considerably. The Russian government under Vladimir Putin grew more sophisticated in its
approach to strategic destabilization and political interference. The 2008 Georgian conflict
established an important precedent: that Russia was willing to use military force to advance its
geopolitical agenda. The years during these years that have been developed is gradually among
the tactics of information warfare, political infiltration, the use of separatist movements as a
political instrument. and would subsequently be used in Ukraine.2010-2015
There was a bigger sea change in relations between Russia and Ukraine from 2010 to 2015. One
key example of blatant territorial aggression is the 2014 annexation of Crimea, which violated
international law and set a new norm for conflict. During this period, Russia supported separatist
actions in Donetsk and Luhansk territories which represents the first significant military invasion
of the Ukrainian territory. The first signs of targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure of critical
importance, forced relocation, and deliberate attempts to degrade Ukrain ian territorial integrity
included of the systematic character of war crimes. These years showed a steady pattern of

increasing military and political aggressiveness, laying the foundation for the full-scale invasion
in 2022.

Conclusion
The investigation of war crimes in the Russia-Ukraine conflict reveals a concerning pattern of
systematic violations of international humanitarian law. The overwhelming body of evidence
suggests a premeditated approach that targets civilian populations and infrastructure rather than
isolated incidents. The magnitude and nature of these violations indicate a significant turnaround
in how international humanitarian law is applied in current conflicts. In addition to the
immediate casualties, these war crimes have resulted in psychological damage and protracted
humanitarian crises that will affect Ukrainian society for years to come. The international
community’s response and documentation efforts could set significant precedents for future
conflicts and accountability regimes. The widespread scope, systematic nature, and devastating
impact on civilian populations of these crimes underscore the importance of continued
international attention and response.

References

Anderson, M., & Wilson, P. (2023). Systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure during the
Russian invasion of Ukraine. International Journal of Military Studies, 28(4), 145-167.

Brown, K., & Smith, J. (2024). Digital evidence collection and documentation of war crimes in
Ukraine: New methodological approaches. Journal of International Criminal Justice, 15(2), 234256.

Johnson, R., & Thompson, L. (2023). The forced deportation of Ukrainian civilians: A
comprehensive analysis of Russian filtration operations. Human Rights Quarterly, 45(3), 178195.

Miller, S., & Davis, T. (2023). Cultural genocide in occupied territories: Systematic erasure of
Ukrainian identity. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 42(1), 89-112.

Taylor, E., & Harris, M. (2024). War crimes in Ukraine: A systematic review of evidence and
documentation. International Criminal Law Review, 33(2), 112-134.

Williams, D., & Roberts, A. (2023). The impact of Russian military operations on civilian
populations in Ukraine: Analysis of systematic human rights violations. Journal of Peace

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Name: Nader M Aldossary
ID: 202100695

The war between Russia and Ukraine from a legal standpoint and international law

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Introduction
The war between Russia and Ukraine, which started in 2022, has had a significant
impact on the global platforms for its humanitarian significance but for the legal treatment of
the conflict under international law. This conflict has brought legal discourse over the
illegality of war in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s sovereignty, and humanitarian
norms and principles of armed conflict, human rights, and the inviolability of territorial
borders. Yet, its implementation raises concerns as states, legal professionals, and global
organizations try to find ways to address the growing problem. This paper analyses the war
between Russia and Ukraine, particularly as a legal event and its consequences for the current
legal structures, such as international law and sovereignty, and concerning the populations
affected by this war.

Problem Statement
The events in Ukraine by the Russian Federation remain rather tricky for the present
international legal framework concerning the application of force and state sovereignty. Legal
literature has given much attention to the legal regime of Russia’s actions. Yet, the
relationship of the conflict to the general system of international law of state sovereignty, the
ban on interference in domestic affairs, and the protection of civilians is underdeveloped. The
existing knowledge base is deficient in how this conflict may reformulate these basic tenets
of international law and if the international community possesses sufficient instruments to
hold actors legally responsible within such a conflict.

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Relevance and Importance of the Research
This research is vital because, as the Russia- Ukraine conflict often takes place, it
opens new legal precedents in international law, particularly on the issue of the employment
of force, sovereignty, and responsibility for the commission of crime in war (Grzebyk, 2023).
The paper will present the findings of the specific weaknesses and changes that might have to
be introduced into the architectures of the global legal system to tackle such hostilities.
Examining these legal issues, this study will join the existing conversation among legal
theorists, jurists, legislative bodies, and the international community regarding how
international law may continue to be adapted to address contemporary interstate relations.

Literature review
Concepts and Theories, Key Ideas and Studies
This paper explores the legal status of the Russia-Ukraine conflict under international
law, especially in the laws of armed conflict. Art 2(4) of the UN Charter Chapter 1 states that
no state shall use force against another or threaten to use force in any manner which, among
other things, prejudices or threatens the territorial integrity or political independence of the
other state unless in the exercise of the inherent right of self-defence or acting under the
authority of the Security Council (Bowett, 2009). Gray (2018) and Dinstein (2017) state that
any warfare not sanctioned by the UN Security and Council is unlawful. However, Russia has
invoked the UN Charter Article 51 self-defence and the right to defend the civilian
population. The plight in Ukraine enables it to fight on behalf of the oppressed ethnic Russian
and Russian-speaking groups. Other authors, such as Stewart (2023), pointed out that the

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Russian’s reason for using force does not meet the conditions under Article 51 or
humanitarian interventions.

Key Debates and Controversies
One of the main issues in the literature is Russia’s legal right to act in self-defence and
intervene in the country. While some scholars such as Bukar (2023), assert that the action of
Russia has been an unlawful violation of international law, others such as Kiel (2024),
suggest that the legal regime for the use of force in case of aggression is not very clear,
particularly when the UN Charter provisions of self-defence and non-interference are looked
at closely. It also raises a question on the involvement of other relevant parties and
secessionist groups in the conflict, the legal concept of annexation participation of Russia in
Crimea in 2014.
Gaps in Existing Knowledge
Much research has been done regarding the use of force and sovereignty laws.
However, scant research has been done on the impact the Russia-Ukraine conflict could have
on the principle as applied to international law. This research will meet these gaps in the
present study by not only ascertaining the legal permissibility of Russia’s actions but also
estimating the impact of these actions on the future development of international legal norms
and principles.
Main Aim and Objectives
This study aims to examine the legal regulation of the Russia-Ukraine war by using
international law to assess the correctness of Russia’s actions and their consequences
concerning the principles of state sovereignty and force.

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Specific objectives:
✓ To analyze the international community’s performance and valuable legal institutions
such as ICJ and ICC in resolving the conflict.
✓ To make proposals that the International Law should be improved to avoid future
infringements of state sovereignty and ensure the safety of civilians in conflict
situations.
Research Questions
➢ What is the position of international legal actors, such as the United Nations and other
international courts, concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
➢ What could be suggested to improve international legislation to protect the
sovereignty of states and their resistance to aggression in future legal instances?
To answer these questions, the primary sources that the research will use are HeinOnline and
Westlaw legal databases, journals regarding international law, UN documents, and reports of
international organizations that protect human rights.
Methods
This research would undertake library research with the legal research used in
understanding treaties, case laws, and legal precedents in international law, as well as
studying particular sources of law on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This study will use
comparative analysis to evaluate various legal scholars and international organizations’ stands
on the conflict. The study will propose a comprehensive survey of the analysis of published

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data and legal interpretations to explore the challenges that have arisen before the
international legal system in dealing with today’s interstate conflicts.

References
Bowett, D. W. (2009). Self-defence in international law. The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd.
Bukar, M. I. (2023). Russia’s War against Ukraine: A Contravention of International
Humanitarian Law. American Journal of Society and Law, 2(1), 30-35.
Dinstein, Y. (2017). Excerpts from War, Aggression & Self Defence (6th ed.) Cambridge
University Press.
Gray, C. (2018). For any force: International Law and The Use of Force (4th Edition). Oxford
University Press.
Grzebyk, P. (2023). Crime of Aggression against Ukraine: The Role of Regional Customary
Law. Journal of International Criminal Justice, 21(3), 435-459.
Kiel, H. (2024). On the relationship between non-intervention, the use of force, and the
transfer of arms to non-state actors. In Arms Transfers to Non-State Actors (pp. 5596). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Stewart, I. (2023). Hans Kelsen, Legal Scientist: Review essay on Thomas Olechowski, Hans
Kelsen: Biographie eines Rechtswissenschaftlers (Hans Kelsen: Biography of a Legal
Scientist) 1. Journal of Legal Philosophy, 48(2), 119-192.

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References
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of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page Number(s).
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AuthorLastName, FirstInitial., & Author LastName, FirstInitial. (Year). Title of article. Title
of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page Number(s).

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COMM1312 Paper Presentation
Assignment Instructions and Rubric
10% Final Grade
You will create and deliver an oral presentation based on your research paper from
COMM1312. The presentation should effectively communicate your research topic,
questions, findings, and implications, using a clear and engaging slide deck and oral
presentation. Your presentation will be evaluated using the rubric provided.
Presentations will be delivered December 9th – 14th. The schedule will be posted on
blackboard. Students should consult blackboard. No make-up presentations will be allowed.
Presentation Requirements:
1. Time Limit: 3–5 minutes.
2. Slides: Include five key slides (Introduction, Literature Review, Results,
Findings/Implications, Conclusion).
3. Visuals: Use clear, well-organized visuals (graphs, images, or diagrams) where
appropriate. Use minimal text on the slides with bullet points. You should not read
text directly from the slides.
4. Delivery: Speak clearly, maintain good eye contact, and use notes sparingly. Practice
to ensure smooth transitions and timing.
Slide-by-Slide Rubric
Needs
Unsatisfactory
Criteria
Exemplary (4)
Proficient (3) Improvement
(1)
(2)
Strong hook;
Introduces the Provides some
No clear
clearly states the
problem and
background
introduction;
problem, provides thesis/research but misses
problem and
brief background, question with clarity in the
1. Introduction Slide
thesis/research
and includes a
adequate
problem,
question are
focused thesis
background,
thesis, or
missing or
statement/research though lacks a research
unclear.
question.
strong hook.
question.
Discusses
relevant
Summarizes key
Incomplete or
literature with Mentions
literature
missing
adequate
literature but
effectively;
discussion of
2. Literature Review
findings;
lacks detail or
provides relevant
literature;
Slide
connections to clear relevance
findings and
findings are
the research
to the research
connections to the
irrelevant or
topic are
topic.
research topic.
unclear.
somewhat
clear.
Results are
Results are
Clearly explains
Explains
vague,
unclear,
research results
research results
3. Results Slide
incomplete, or missing, or
with strong support adequately;
unsupported unsupported by
and effective
visuals, if used,
by visuals.
evidence.

Needs
Unsatisfactory
Proficient (3) Improvement
(1)
(2)
visuals, if
are somewhat
applicable.
helpful.
Provides
Adequately
Findings are
Findings are
thoughtful analysis analyzes
superficial or
poorly
4.
of overall findings; findings;
lack depth;
explained; no
Findings/Implications discusses
discusses some implications
implications for
Slide
meaningful
implications
for future
future research
implications for
for future
research are
provided.
future research.
research.
unclear.
Delivers a concise,
Provides a
impactful
Summarizes
conclusion but
conclusion that
Conclusion is
key points;
misses key
summarizes key
incomplete,
5. Conclusion Slide
conclusion is points or does
points and leaves
unclear, or
clear but lacks not tie back to
the audience with a
missing.
impact.
the research
memorable final
question.
thought.
Presenter is
Presentation is
Presenter is
clear and uses
unclear or
Poor delivery;
confident, clear,
time and
disorganized; lacks clarity,
Delivery and
and engaging;
visuals
struggles with engagement, or
Engagement
makes excellent
effectively,
timing or
adherence to
use of time and
with minor
minimal
the time limit.
visuals.
lapses in
engagement.
engagement.
Criteria

Exemplary (4)

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Systematic War Crimes in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Legal Perspective

Student name: Nader M Aldossary

ID Student: 202100695

Instructors name: Dr. Adam Jones

Course: Writing and research

2

Introduction

The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2014 and amplified
to the full-scale war in February 2022; now is receiving the world’s attention not only because of
its humanitarian consequences but also for its legal consequences in terms of international law.
During this prolonged war, many egregious violations of human rights have been committed,
including systematic killing of civilians, bombing of civilian structures, forced removal of
people, and destruction of cultural sites. These are not single episodes, but they are components
of systematic practices that stimulate significant concerns and important questions relating to the
legal norms of contemporary warfare: Their applicability and enforcement.

This paper also analyses the breaches of IHL and IHRL during the conflict in Russia and
Ukraine to understand how breaches violate the principles of international law. Based on the
findings of the literature review, significant abuse patterns, such as attacks on civilian objects,
forced displacement of the population, and the destruction of cultural property. This research is
essential from the perspective of reporting these violations and understanding how international
legal structures have to work for such crimes to be punished efficiently.

The paper is organized as follows: the history and literature review part presents the
history of the conflict and legal analysis of the patterns of war crimes based on an analysis of the
literature. Using the research questions, the exploration of the SHC and the legal outlook unveils
the response of the international legal community and future prospects to bolster the legal
structure. The conclusion discusses general outcomes and the importance of the results, stressing
the need for further change in the current international law framework.

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Conclusion
The evidence collected in the following reports highlights many patterns of war crimes
that occurred during the Russia-Ukraine war. Such crimes, including genocide, extermination,
ethnic cleansing, forced expulsion of civilians, and destruction of their cultural properties, are
revealing a deliberate form of warfare rather than an act of war in the traditional sense of the
word, as explained by Renwick (2023). The objective record of events through witnesses,
satellites, and other official recordings presents a picture of how an alleged conflict violates legal
and ethical principles.
Several important implications of this research are presented below. First, the systematic
character of those war crimes shows that there should be even more enhanced mechanisms of
enforcing international law to sanction state-organized violations. Second, legal issues in
prosecuting and investigating such crimes, from collecting evidence in war zones to political
restrictions in international courts, as long as the academic rights in Cioffi& Cecannecchia
(2023). Global institutions, including the International Criminal Court, are also crucial. Yet,
those organizations’ geographical and temporal mandate and the lack of resources can
significantly hamper proper and sufficiently broad investigation into crimes.
The consequences of such studies are immense. The Russian-Ukraine conflict also shows
us how international legal systems are weak in responding to the features of contemporary wars.
Solving these problems calls for restoring the existing institutions and reevaluating the
principles, including state sovereignty and noninterference in the state’s internal affairs, within
which gross rights violations occur. However, global society should pay specific attention to the

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issue of further forming the instruments safeguarding civilians and cultural property during
warfare.
The events in Ukraine remind society that there are indeed consequences of impunity.
The gross violations of international law in this conflict require organized international reactions
to provide remedies and prevent subsequent acts of genocide. While these events unfold globally
and are documented, it is time to move from anger to action to guarantee justice and advise the
international law systems to learn lessons from such violations and avoid future occurrences.

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References
Cioffi, A., & Cecannecchia, C. (2023). Role of forensic medicine in addressing the war crimes:
Perspective from Russia-Ukraine conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medicine,
Science and the Law, 63(2), 168-173.
Renwick, J. (2023, December). The Russia/Ukraine conflict-developments in war crimes.
In Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales (Vol. 156, No. 491492, pp. 264-280). Sydney: Royal Society of New South Wales.

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