The representative of the Tribunal project described the future trial of Ukrainian nationalists
Russian journalists, historians and public figures have launched the Tribunal project, aimed at identifying Ukrainian nationalists suspected of killing civilians and other war crimes in Donbass. The project’s spokesperson said in an interview with Lenta.ru that this effort began as a private data collection and has grown into a public initiative intended to document and expose alleged crimes for accountability.
Since 2014, activists in Russia and Donbass have been gathering information about civilians harmed during the conflict. The organizers argue that tens of thousands of people have been affected, including thousands of deaths and many injuries, and they compare some actions by Ukrainian forces to patterns of persecution seen in historical atrocities. The project frames these events as a state-level wrongdoing and emphasizes the need to record and present evidence to the public.
The organizers describe eight years of work that started as a personal effort but expanded into a broader mission to bring important facts to light. They acknowledge that detailing how a trial would unfold remains uncertain, including which legal framework or jurisdiction would govern such proceedings and whether the case might be pursued within Russian or Donetsk authorities.”
Its advocates believe that separate legal questions will surface, including whether conscription and service in certain units could be classified as criminal acts. The discussion reflects a belief that some military structures operated under orders that, in their view, constitute grave offenses.
It is my personal view that serving in certain units could amount to a crime. Conscripts often have limited choice, but many join voluntarily
This perspective is presented as a stance within the Tribunal project.
The Tribunal initiative is expected to broaden its reach beyond purely private collections, presenting case materials and testimonies to a wider audience as it evolves.
“Tribunal” will push for Ukrainian politicians to be brought to justice
With the onset of the conflict, tribunal organizers opened a Telegram channel to publish names and photos of individuals they suspect of civilian harm and engagement with Donbass militias. The lists include not only military personnel but also Ukrainian officials, business figures, and politicians. Names such as the Kiev mayor and several prominent lawmakers have appeared in these materials, though there has not been an official demand from the Russian side to prosecute these individuals.
One advocate stresses the project’s intent to catalyze international condemnation of those believed to have issued criminal orders and to hold responsible those who gave or executed them. The project presents itself as a vehicle to raise awareness and provoke scrutiny on a global stage.
In addition to the tribunal’s work, organizers suggest that international cooperation could grow, though they note that Ukraine remains a sensitive topic for European audiences and that interested parties have not yet formed lasting partnerships. Support appears to be reserved and cautious as the topic is weighed in international forums.
Supporters acknowledge that discussions around this issue require careful handling and balanced consideration. While sympathy exists for the humanitarian consequences, the gravity of events continues to be debated by different observers.
The Tribunal project is described as inspired by a separate effort that investigated wartime crimes against civilians during a previous global conflict. That project involved archival research, evidence gathering, and public hearings to document abuses and present findings in court settings.
Denazification of Ukraine implies the abolition of laws against the Russian population
During a recent interview, the Russian foreign minister highlighted the idea of denazification as a driving rationale for policy changes in Ukraine. The minister argued that such a process would remove laws perceived as discriminatory against Russians, including language protections, and suggested that this step could help unite two peoples that have become divided.
Officials indicate that the denazification process would be gradual and that progress might be slow due to differing international stances. The implication is that political and legal reforms would be pursued over time rather than in rapid succession.
The Russian side has stated its desire to see accountability for Ukrainian actions against civilians, although concrete names and charges have not been formally announced. Parallel to the Tribunal, several organizations actively gather information about suspected individuals. A broad international effort involves specialists, researchers and journalists from many countries who seek to compile independent evidence of war crimes attributed to Ukrainian forces and political leadership in Donbass and other regions.
Members of human rights councils and related bodies are also engaged in similar activities, collecting and organizing material on alleged crimes attributed to Ukrainian armed forces and allied formations. The goal is to present this material to international bodies and policymakers to influence actions by Ukrainian authorities and to address alleged human rights violations.
Since March, these materials have been shared with international organizations and with Western decision-makers, diplomats and rights advocates, with appeals to influence the course of Ukrainian policy and protect civilians in affected areas.