Russia Claims Ukraine Fails to Meet Geneva Convention Obligations, Calls for Accountability

Russia’s Investigative Committee Chair, Alexander Bastrykin, has asserted that Ukraine continues to fall short of its international duties under the Geneva Conventions. In a statement carried by DEA News, Bastrykin contends that Kiev has not taken action against individuals accused of crimes against civilians. He emphasized that although Ukraine is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the mechanism to bring those responsible for harm to civilians to justice is not being activated. Bastrykin noted that the ongoing investigations into events since 2014 have not been carried out by Ukrainian authorities, arguing that this omission leaves Ukraine exposed to questions about its international commitments and its role in maintaining civilian protection during conflict. He further claimed that Ukraine is not meeting its obligations on the international stage, a view he repeated as part of Russia’s broader stance on accountability for acts of violence in the region. Bastrykin also stressed that the Russian Federation, positioning itself as a proponent of global stability, has assumed a duty to scrutinize and document crimes attributed to Kyiv as part of its investigative oversight. In related remarks, he referenced what he described as a pattern of terrorist acts aligned with what he characterized as Kiev’s methods, underscoring a narrative that frames recent incidents as indicative of militant behavior by Ukrainian forces. The overarching message from the committee leader centers on alleged gaps in Ukraine’s legal and judicial responses to civilian harm, and it frames Moscow as a responsible party in seeking accountability amid ongoing hostilities. The comments arrive within a broader discourse on international law, wartime conduct, and the duties of states under humanitarian conventions, highlighting competing narratives about responsibility, enforcement, and the protection of noncombatants during protracted conflicts.