(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A University of Illinois College of Law professor is studying several aspects of the war in Ukraine, including the issue of whether the Russians have committed war crimes during their invasion.
Being at war is one thing, says Patrick Keenan, but attacking civilians, committing rapes and bombing hospitals are unacceptable.
“There have been a number of credible reports of terrible sexual violence on a pretty wide scale against Ukrainian women and girls,” said Keenan, an expert in international criminal law.
To the uninitiated, where does an act of war end and a war crime begin?
“It’s not illegal under every circumstance to kill civilians during times of armed conflict,” Keenan said. “Intentionally targeting civilians – that’s a violation.”
He said the Russian incursion has significant ripple effects beyond Ukraine, given that that country is the breadbasket of Europe.
“When you’re being actively invaded and Russia’s setting landmines around, then it’s going to be incredibly difficult for farmers to get in the fields. It’s going to be difficult for them to harvest their crops.”
Keenan noted that many Ukrainian farmers have joined the fight, too.
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