Vice President Harris addresses alleged crimes against humanity in Ukraine
The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, stated this Saturday at the Munich Security Conference that Russia has committed crimes against humanity during its occupation of Ukraine. The assertion marked a clear stance by Washington on the severity of Moscow’s actions and reflected the administration’s ongoing effort to document and respond to abuses amid the conflict.
The Biden administration formally concluded in March that Russian troops had committed war crimes in Ukraine. The designation crimes against humanity goes beyond war crimes by emphasizing widespread and systemic attacks against civilian populations, a standard rooted in the Rome Statute that underpins the International Criminal Court. Harris underscored that Russia’s assault targeted noncombatants, highlighting acts ranging from executions to brutal beatings and torture as part of a deliberate pattern.
In her remarks, Harris cited specific incidents to illustrate the scope and brutality of the campaign. She pointed to the bombing of a maternity hospital that resulted in the death of a pregnant mother and to indiscriminate strikes on civilians, including a theatre in Mariupol where hundreds lost their lives. These examples were meant to convey the human cost of the conflict and to reinforce the legal framing of the crimes alleged by the United States.
forced exiles
Harris also accused Russia of forcibly deporting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, including many children, separating families and uprooting communities. The vice president argued that these actions constitute a coercive, long lasting displacement that compounds the suffering of those affected. In her view, the evidence establishes not only individual crimes but a broader campaign designed to break Ukrainian society at large.
She emphasized that the United States has carefully reviewed the evidence, applied established legal standards, and consistently maintained that these are crimes against humanity. The remarks framed accountability as a central aim of American policy as it supports Ukrainian partners and works toward a documented record of atrocities for future legal action.
Addressing those responsible, Harris made a direct warning: those who committed these crimes and those who ordered or enabled them will be held accountable. She reaffirmed U.S. solidarity with Ukrainian forces and the broader goal of justice for victims of the aggression.
There will be more dark days in Ukraine. The daily suffering will continue until a change in the course of the conflict is achieved. Harris spoke directly to the Russian leadership, urging them to recognize that time is not on their side and that endurance is unlikely to yield a favorable outcome for Moscow.
systematic attacks
Shortly after, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken expanded on the charges in a formal statement. He reiterated that the attacks are not random or spontaneous; they are part of a systematic Kremlin operation against the Ukrainian civilian population. The secretary highlighted that the U.S. has categorized these acts among the most serious offenses and stressed the scale of suffering inflicted by Russian forces.
Blinken noted that the determination reflects a deep commitment to accountability, signaling that senior Russian officials and military personnel could face consequences for their actions. The emphasis remained on ensuring that those responsible are identified, documented, and confronted with legal consequences through international and national mechanisms.
This coordinated stance from the executive and diplomatic branches underscores a broader strategy to document abuses, support international justice initiatives, and coordinate with partners to uphold international humanitarian norms amid ongoing hostilities. The commitment to accountability, rights protection, and the rule of law remains central to the United States’ approach to the Ukraine crisis and to the pursuit of a lasting, lawful resolution.