The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reports that since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 217,000 war crimes have been documented. However, only 817 indictments have been filed, resulting in 245 convictions, with just 23 of these involving defendants physically present in court.
As the International Criminal Court focuses on high-ranking military and political leaders, the burden of prosecuting lower-ranking Russian soldiers falls primarily on Ukrainian courts. The pace of these proceedings varies significantly; some cases have been in the preparatory stage for nearly three years, while others have reached verdicts in as little as six months. Factors influencing these timelines include the shortage of judges, the complexity of the crimes, and procedural requirements, especially for absentia trials.
In a unique situation where a nation prosecutes citizens of an aggressor state while the conflict continues, Ukraine is determining how to prioritize the overwhelming number of war crime cases. Legal experts are exploring ways to enhance the capacity of Ukrainian courts to expedite the prosecution of Russian soldiers for violations of wartime conduct. One potential solution discussed is the establishment of a military justice system to alleviate the burden on civilian courts, which continue to handle numerous non-war-related cases.
During a recent court session, Alexander Chikmaryov, a victim of a Russian military attack, expressed frustration over the prolonged judicial process. Chikmaryov, who lost his wife and two children when their car was fired upon in Bucha in March 2022, highlighted the chronic delays in court proceedings, which have yet to yield significant progress in his case.
Legal representatives for victims, like Alexey Yasunetsky, emphasize the emotional toll that these lengthy trials take on those affected by war crimes. Yasunetsky noted that the current legal framework is ill-equipped to handle the complexities of war crimes, leading to delays that frustrate victims seeking justice.
Another case involving Olexandr Kashyn, a Russian soldier accused of executing a civilian and his son in Bucha, has faced similar delays, with hearings starting in May 2023 but still far from resolution. The widow of the deceased, Alla Nechiporenko, has been attending court sessions regularly and expressed her dismay at the frequent cancellations and delays.
Human rights advocates have pointed out that the backlog of cases is exacerbated by the need for multiple judges to coordinate their schedules, especially in complex cases involving numerous victims and defendants. The ongoing conflict further complicates matters, as air raid alerts can interrupt proceedings, and power outages have hindered court operations.
Taras Semkiv, head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict, noted that the Ukrainian judicial system is striving for transparency, even in cases where the defendant admits guilt. The sheer volume of evidence and the organizational challenges involved in these cases contribute to the delays.
In January 2026, a court in Pavlohrad sentenced Yuri Ohurtsov to 12 years in absentia for war crimes committed in 2016 and 2017. This case took nearly three years to resolve, highlighting the difficulties of prosecuting crimes committed in occupied territories.
Judges in Ukraine’s courts are currently overwhelmed, with many handling significantly more cases than recommended. Mikhail Odaryuk, deputy head of the Irpin court, explained that the number of cases has surged since the war began, with many related to family law due to displacement caused by the conflict.
Currently, only ten judges are authorized to handle war crime cases in Irpin, far below the required number. The lack of specialization among judges means that cases are often assigned randomly, further complicating the judicial process.
Legal experts are advocating for the establishment of specialized courts to handle war crimes, which could enhance the efficiency and quality of proceedings. Discussions are ongoing within the Office of the President regarding the potential for such reforms.
As the Ukrainian judicial system grapples with the unprecedented volume of war crime cases, the need for innovative solutions and possible restructuring of the legal framework remains critical to ensure justice for victims.
Ukraine's judicial system is overwhelmed with over 217,000 documented war crimes since Russia's invasion, facing significant delays in prosecutions. Experts are advocating for specialized courts to expedite the legal process and ensure justice for victims.