• The warrants are issued over alleged war crimes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
• Zelensky emphasizes the need for justice for Russian crimes against Ukrainians.
• The ICC accuses the two men of war crimes, including directing attacks at civilians and causing excessive harm.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Russia’s chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, and former defense minister Sergei Shoigu.

The warrants, issued over strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure that allegedly constitute war crimes, are the latest in a series of actions by the court over the Ukraine war, including issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“These barbaric missile and drone strikes continue to kill people and inflict damage across Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

“This decision is a clear indication that justice for Russian crimes against Ukrainians is inevitable,” he added.

“Every criminal involved in the planning and execution of these strikes must know that justice will be served. And we do hope to see them behind bars,” the Ukrainian leader wrote on social media.

The ICC stated in a statement that the two men are accused of war crimes, including directing attacks at civilian objects and causing excessive incidental harm to civilians, as well as the crime against humanity of “inhumane acts” in Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidency, wrote that “Shoigu and Gerasimov individually bear responsibility” for the strikes.

“This is an important decision. Everyone will be held accountable for evil,” he said.

“Every war criminal should be held accountable,” said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets.

The country’s prosecutor general’s office also issued a statement welcoming the news.

“This is a new significant step toward full accountability for the aggressor,” it said.

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