Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine are increasingly being considered within international investigations as potential war crimes. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation with reference to the Global Initiative T4P ("Tribunal for Putin"), UNN reports.
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According to the initiative, prosecutors of the International Criminal Court are already analyzing Russian cyber operations aimed at Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, particularly energy systems and communication facilities, within the framework of relevant proceedings.
The CCD recalls that Ukraine has been the primary target of Russian digital attacks since 2014. At that time, it involved interference in the operation of state systems, including the Central Election Commission, as well as the mass dissemination of disinformation. Subsequently, the nature of the attacks changed significantly and intensified.
Among the most well-known incidents is the activity of the Sandworm hacking group, which is linked to large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, as well as the NotPetya virus, which caused significant global economic damage
After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, cyber operations became an integral part of combat actions. According to experts, the number of such incidents is growing every year.
Human rights activists note that in cases where the consequences of cyberattacks pose a threat to civilian life or critical infrastructure, they can be equated in their effects to traditional warfare.
The investigation of these episodes in international instances could create an important precedent in international law, where individuals responsible for state-level cybercrimes could be held accountable as war criminals.
As noted by the Center, the potential recognition of such cyber operations as war crimes will help close legal gaps and confirm that digital traces of attacks can serve as full-fledged evidence in future international tribunals.
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