Themes by tag: russian crimes
Animals in Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park continue to suffer from the consequences of ecocide caused by russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In early June 2026, 22 dead dolphins washed ashore. Since then, researchers have continued to record new cases. Over the past 50 days, a total of 74 dead cetaceans have been found along the park’s coastline. The figures were reported by Ivan Rusiev, Doctor of Biological Sciences and Head of the Research Department at Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park.
According to the biologist, the ecosystem is suffering from the constant impact of warfare, including mine explosions, aerial bombardments, missile strikes, and the use of powerful sonar systems by military vessels. Together with his team, Ivan Rusiev documents every recorded case of ecocide.
Journalists can arrange interviews with Ivan Rusiev either online or in person by prior appointment.
On July 15, Kyiv will host the presentation of the report “Beyond the Battlefield: russia’s Information War Against Ukraine’s European Future.”
The report, prepared jointly by analysts from the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) and the European External Action Service (EEAS), examines how russian information manipulation and interference seek to undermine Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
Participants:
– Andriy Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Public Diplomacy, officer of the Ukrainian Defense Forces;
– Anahit Khoperia, Deputy Head of the Center for Public Diplomacy;
– a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine;
– a representative of the Security Service of Ukraine;
– a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
– a representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Media registration is open until 3:00 p.m. on July 14.
The Center for Civil Liberties invites journalists, representatives of civil society, government institutions, and international organizations to attend a briefing on a new draft law on accountability for international crimes. The event will take place in Kyiv on July 15.
Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have registered more than 240,000 international crimes related to russian aggression. Even if the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression becomes operational, it will deal with only a limited number of cases. The vast majority of cases will have to be investigated by Ukraine’s justice system. This is why Ukraine’s Criminal Code must be fully aligned with international criminal law, enabling the country to effectively investigate international crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
Despite amendments adopted in 2024, Ukraine’s Criminal Code still contains significant gaps. To address them, the Office of the Prosecutor General established an Interagency Working Group that prepared a comprehensive draft law to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with international criminal law. Representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, and Ukrainian and international experts contributed to its development.
During the briefing, participants will present the draft law’s key provisions for the first time. The draft law is important not only for ensuring accountability for international crimes but also for fulfilling Ukraine’s obligations in its European Union accession process.
Speakers:
- Kostiantyn Zadoia, Doctor of Law, Professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, expert at the Center for Civil Liberties;
- Stanislav Petrenko, Head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Context of Armed Conflict, Office of the Prosecutor General;
- Alina Pavliuk, Coordinator of the Lawyers’ Team and Analyst at Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group;
- Mykola Pashkovskyi, Senior Research Fellow at the V. V. Stashys Research Institute for the Study of Crime Problems of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Law, member of the Interagency Working Group on Harmonizing Legislation in the Context of Ukraine’s Ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Moderator: Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director of the Center for Civil Liberties.
Journalists are required to register in advance. The exact venue will be shared with registered participants one day before the event.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) has analyzed the components of the russian Oreshnik ballistic missile. According to NAKO Senior Researcher Viktoriia Vyshnivska, the weapon promoted by the Kremlin as being “based on advanced technologies” is, in reality, assembled from outdated components.
NAKO’s analysis is based on a detailed examination and verification of debris from the missile’s instrument compartment collected by Ukrainian military experts after two confirmed strikes:
- Dnipro (November 21, 2024) — the first combat use of the missile against the Pivdenmash industrial complex.
- Lviv (January 8, 2026) — a strike on critical infrastructure. It was there that surviving missile subsystems (including navigation units and engine components) were recovered and sent for detailed analysis.
Unlike other russian cruise missiles and drones, which rely heavily on modern Western microchips or Chinese semiconductors, the Oreshnik contains an unusually high proportion of domestically manufactured components.
However, this “import substitution” was achieved by relying on outdated technologies:
- Around 470 identified microcomponents are based on low- and medium-tech semiconductors manufactured using production processes that are decades old.
- Most recovered components were manufactured between 2014 and 2018. The missile is essentially an evolutionary development of older Soviet and russian systems such as the Rubezh, Topol-M, and Yars.
- Components for the missile were supplied by at least 25 companies from russia and Belarus, including the Integral holding company and the Mikron, Angstrem, and Optron plants.
Although this architecture somewhat reduces russia’s dependence on Western supply chains, it does not demonstrate full technological self-sufficiency. Instead, it highlights the blurred boundary between civilian and military microelectronics in russia.
A significant number of companies whose chips were found in the missile have yet to face comprehensive international sanctions. While Ukraine has independently imposed sanctions on 93% of the identified companies involved in manufacturing the Oreshnik, only 62% are currently subject to international sanctions.
NAKO Senior Researcher Viktoriia Vyshnivska stresses that international sanctions must continue evolving and become more comprehensive in order to effectively disrupt russian weapons production.
Background: The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) is a Ukrainian civil society organization that works to reduce opportunities for corruption in the country’s defense sector through research, advocacy, and public awareness. Following russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NAKO launched a project focused on monitoring and strengthening sanctions against russia’s defense industry.
On July 11, Odesa will host the opening of “Kherson: NOT/Stolen”, an exhibition based on studies and homages inspired by artworks stolen by russia. The project was conceived as an exploration of the collection of the looted Kherson Art Museum and was created by artists who continue to live and work in Ukraine despite ongoing russian attacks and destruction.
In art, a study is both an exploration and a preparatory sketch. A homage is a work created as a tribute to another artist. It is neither an exact copy nor a replica, but rather an expression of respect and gratitude to those who made the world a better place through their art.
The exhibition “NOT/Stolen. Studies and Homages” was shown from November to December 2025 at Zenyk Art Gallery in Lviv, from February to April 2026 at the War Museum in Kyiv, and from May to June 2026 at the Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation KUMF Gallery in Toronto, Canada.
On July 11, Kherson will be brought to Odesa through new works by Ukrainian artists.
Mykyta Shastun joined the military several years before the full-scale invasion. He served in the 56th Brigade, fought on the outskirts of Donetsk Airport, and trained to become a sergeant.
After the full-scale invasion began, he and his brother Ihor joined the Azov Regiment to defend Mariupol. On April 1, his brother was killed. In May 2022, Mykyta and his comrades were ordered to lay down their weapons and surrender.
He ended up in the Olenivka colony in the occupied Donetsk oblast. He recalls extreme hardship: prisoners starving due to a lack of food and water. Soon, the Azov fighters were moved to another barracks where an explosion rocked the facility at night. Miraculously, Mykyta survived with only a concussion. He helped wounded comrades, though the russians provided no medical aid. He was then transferred from Olenivka to Taganrog, russia, before finally returning to Ukraine on December 31, 2022.
Journalists can contact Mykyta Shastun online by prior arrangement.
Background: The defense of Mariupol lasted 86 days, 82 of which were in complete encirclement. From May 16 to 20, 2022, the Mariupol garrison received orders to cease defending the city and surrender.
On the night of July 29, 2022, russia committed a terrorist act blowing up the Olenivka penal colony barracks holding Ukrainian POWs. At least 50 defenders of Azovstal were killed, and more than a hundred were injured.
On July 7, Media Center Ukraine will host the presentation of the analytical report “Loyalty Under Coercion.” Over the past year, lawyers from the Regional Center for Human Rights have examined one of the key instruments used to suppress dissent and maintain control in the occupied territories — the prosecution of people under articles on the “discrediting” of the russian army in Crimea and Sevastopol. Violations of these provisions are punishable by fines or prison sentences of up to 15 years. In practice, russia has created legal mechanisms that allow it to punish anyone deemed “disloyal” to the occupation authorities or opposed to their policies.
After analyzing more than 1,500 decisions issued by occupation authorities, the team concluded that russia has established a system in the occupied territories that suppresses freedom of expression and violates the right to a fair trial. On the one hand, these measures are intended to “legitimize” russian rule; on the other, they are designed to create a climate of constant fear and silence.
Speakers:
- Alina Hrihoras, Head of the Occupied Territories Unit at the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine;
- Olha Skrypnyk, Chair of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group;
- Kseniia Korniienko, Senior Lawyer at the Regional Center for Human Rights and co-author of the report;
- Volodymyr Viazovtsev, Lawyer at the Regional Center for Human Rights and co-author of the report.
Background: The project was implemented by the Regional Center for Human Rights with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy. The content of the report does not necessarily reflect the views of the donor.
While traveling to one of the communities where they were providing medical care in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, the FRIDA Ukraine medical team witnessed yet another russian attack on civilians. The doctors saw an enemy drone strike a combine harvester working in a field.
A 30-year-old man was injured in the attack. The combine caught fire, and the surrounding wheat field also ignited. FRIDA Ukraine doctors provided the victim with first aid before emergency responders arrived.
“We picked him up, moved to a safer location, and provided first aid. He had a blast injury, and his face and legs had been hit by shrapnel. We then waited for the emergency medical team to arrive and handed him over to the paramedics,” said Nataliia Domochkina, a pediatric dentist with FRIDA Ukraine.
By prior arrangement, journalists can interview the doctors in Kyiv and receive photos and video materials.
Background: FRIDA Ukraine’s medical volunteer missions are regular deployments of multidisciplinary medical teams to frontline and remote communities across Ukraine. Each mission brings together more than 20 specialists, including neurologists, surgeons, gynecologists, internists, dermatologists, and other healthcare professionals. During these visits, local residents receive free medical examinations, consultations, and laboratory tests. More recently, the team has also introduced cancer screening services.
Following a russian strike in December 2023, the Odesa rowing club Chornomorets was left with almost no sports equipment. Two russian drones hit the base where over a hundred boats were stored, leaving the club on the brink of closure.
However, the European rowing community stepped in to help. Support came from clubs in the Netherlands, which organized a boat donation drive and continue to fund annual two-week training camps in the Netherlands for children. Rowers from Germany and Lithuania also contributed. Furthermore, thanks to support from the UK, the club received a coastal rowing boat (a coxed quadruple scull) and four 20-person dragon boats.
Today, Chornomorets is open to both children and adults, and veterans are also welcomed to participate in training sessions.
Journalists are invited to cover these training sessions.
Background: Dragon boat racing is a spectacular team sport featuring large canoes decorated with dragon heads and tails.
Ivan Kucher dreamed of a military career from a young age. While he was completing his mandatory service, russia occupied Crimea and attacked Ukraine’s eastern regions. His family hoped he would be kept away from the front line, but Ivan had other plans; as soon as his mandatory service ended, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He told his mother he was undergoing training, even as he was already fighting russian forces in the Luhansk region.
After his contract expired, Ivan settled in Kyiv. However, following the start of the full-scale russian invasion, he rejoined his former “Donbas” battalion to defend Ukraine in the east once again.
In late April 2022, Ivan was taken prisoner. Later, reports emerged that he might have been killed, though his military unit refuted this information and officially declared him missing in action.
Released Ukrainian prisoners recounted hearing about Ivan Kucher while in russian detention, though they had not seen him personally. In February 2023, his mother spotted him in a piece of russian propaganda footage and provided the material to the Red Cross and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Ivan spent 1,388 days in captivity and was finally returned home on February 5, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange. He is currently awaiting a medical clearance from the Military Medical Commission to return to service.
Interviews with Ivan Kucher can be arranged both online and in person in the Lviv region by prior appointment.
