Controlled Access. Restriction lift date: 2029-06-30
Core international crimes committed in Ukraine since the Russian full-scale invasion: complementarity, cooperation and Russian distortion
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Date
2026-01-31
Authors
Sheehan, Rosalyn (Lynn)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
The thesis examines how complementarity between Ukrainian and international initiatives operates in terms of ensuring accountability for the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine which began on 24 February 2022. It investigates the capacity of Ukraine’s domestic criminal justice system to process the significant number of core international crimes generated by the Russian invasion and assesses the support provided by the international community. The thesis concludes that Ukraine possesses a functioning system capable of processing many cases with its EU accession process serving as an important driver. The thesis also analyses the range of international mechanisms operating alongside Ukraine’s domestic system. A central focus is the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, spearheaded by the Council of Europe in 2025, but also examines the role of the International Criminal Court, the Joint Investigation Team, the UN Commission of Inquiry, the Council of Europe Register of Damages and the role of the application of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction. International support remains essential but is fundamentally constrained by Russia’s capacity to obstruct the international legal order. The situation has been further complicated by the changing political landscape since January 2025, including shifts in US policy towards Ukraine. Despite these geopolitical challenges, practical solutions within both the Ukrainian criminal justice system and International Criminal Law structures remain possible but international peace and security remains under threat.
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Controlled Access
Keywords
International Criminal Law , Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine , Complementarity , Ukrainian domestic prosecutions of core international crimes , Special Tribunal for Crime of Aggression
Citation
Sheehan, R. 2026. Core international crimes committed in Ukraine since the Russian full-scale invasion: complementarity, cooperation and Russian distortion. LLM Thesis, University College Cork.