Prosecuting Individuals for Environmental Harm in the Armed Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine: The Case of Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused serious harm to the environment, resulting in the destruction of ecosystems, a reduction in biodiversity, and damage to natural reserves and protected ecosystems. This type of damage may fall under the jurisdiction of both the International Criminal Court (ICC) under Art. 8(2)(b)(iv) of the ICC Statute regarding war crimes and the Ukrainian domestic courts under Art. 441 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (CCU) regarding ecocide. However, while Ukrainian domestic judicial authorities are already conducting investigations under Art. 441 CCU, the prosecution by the ICC for environmental damage should satisfy the high threshold imposed by Art. 8(2)(b)(iv) of the ICC Statute. It would be interesting to see whether the ICC Prosecutor will initiate an investigation into the Kakhovka dam bombing, just like Ukrainian domestic authorities have already done.