Vladimir Putin is alleged to be responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of a population, namely children, and the unlawful transfer of a population, namely children, from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute. The alleged conduct took place in occupied Ukrainian territory from at least 24 February 2022.

There are reasonable grounds to believe Mr Putin bears people criminal responsibility for these alleged crimes in two ways. First, he is alleged to have carried out the acts directly, with others, and or through others, under article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute. Second, he is alleged to have failed to properly control civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts, or allowed them to occur, while under his effective authority and control, under superior responsibility in article 28(b) of the Rome Statute.

ICC arrest warrants

On 17 Mar 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights. The ICC acted after examining alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide linked to the Russo-Ukrainian War. Prosecutors allege responsibility for the war crime of unlawfully deporting and transferring children.

The warrant for Putin is the first aimed at the leader of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

As of Jun 2024, the ICC has also issued arrest warrants for Viktor Sokolov, Sergey Kobylash, Sergei Shoigu, and Valery Gerasimov. All are Russian military officers. The ICC accuses them of directing attacks on civilian objects and of the crime against humanity of inhumane acts under the Rome Statute.