Crimes Against Peace and Planning of Aggressive War
The Russian leadership systematically planned, prepared, and initiated invasions of sovereign territories, including Crimea (2014) and Ukraine (2022), which constitute acts of aggression according to:
- Art. 353 CC RF — public calls for aggressive war;
- Art. 354 CC RF — assistance in preparing an aggressive war;
- Art. 275 CC RF — treason, including actions undermining national security.
More (Art. 353 CC RF — Aggression) →
More (Art. 354 CC RF — Calls for War) →
More (Art. 275 CC RF — Treason) →
Decisions of Russian Leadership Regarding the Invasion of Ukraine
The highest military-political leadership — including the President, Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff, and regional commanders — planned, prepared, and initiated an aggressive war against Ukraine. These actions caused significant harm to Russia’s defense capacity, economy, and international security, qualifying under Art. 275 CC RF as treason through support for foreign actions against Russia’s security.
Text of Article 275 CC RF
“Treason, that is, espionage committed by a citizen of the Russian Federation, disclosure to a foreign state, international or foreign organization, or their representatives of information constituting state secrets, entrusted to the person or known to them in connection with their service or work, or providing financial, material-technical, consulting, or other assistance to a foreign state, international or foreign organization in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation, — punishable by imprisonment for 12 to 20 years with a fine of up to 500,000 rubles or equivalent to the income for up to three years, and restriction of liberty up to two years.”
Documented Facts (Verified and Hypothetical Qualification)
- 2014–2021: Troop buildup along Ukraine’s borders led to sanctions, international isolation, and economic losses exceeding $1 trillion (IMF, OSINT).
- Dec. 2021 – Feb. 2022: NATO ultimatums and alliance expansion to Finland and Sweden increased direct threats to Russia’s security.
- 21 Feb. 2022: Presidential Decrees No. 71 and 72 recognizing certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states — legal basis subject to international oversight.
- 24 Feb. 2022: Launch of the “Special Military Operation,” resulting in civilian casualties, loss of thousands of military assets (OSINT), and demographic crisis.
- 2022–2025: Mobilization and integration of occupied territories — intensified sanctions, capital outflow (>300,000 IT specialists), technological isolation.
Impact on Russia’s National Security
- Increase of NATO presence in the northwest along Russia’s borders after Finland joined the alliance.
- Growth of NATO military budgets (>2% of GDP).
- Transfer of advanced weapons to Ukraine valued >$200 billion, including ATACMS and F-16s.
- International isolation — exclusion from G8 (now G7), limited rights in PACE.
- Economic downturn — GDP decline of 2.1% in 2022, inflation >20%.
Qualification and Responsibility
- Crime Indicators: Assisting foreign states in undermining Russia’s security and provoking escalation.
- Penalty: imprisonment 12–20 years + fine up to 500,000 rubles.
- Subjects: President, Minister of Defense, Chief of General Staff, regional commanders.
- Evidence: Presidential decrees, official statements, data from Rosstat and IMF, OSINT sources (Oryx, DeepState), EU/US sanctions lists.
International Legal Context
Russia’s aggression is recognized in UN General Assembly Resolutions ES-11/1 (2 March 2022) and ES-11/4 (12 October 2022). The UN Security Council (March 2022) confirms violation of Art. 2(4) UN Charter. ICC arrest warrant for the President (17 March 2023) sets a precedent for prosecution under Art. 275 CC RF.
Useful Links
Main Legal Source
The expert legal analysis is based on the full text of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (CC RF), which defines criminal liability for treason under Article 275. Reference: ConsultantPlus – full text of CC RF (Law No. 63‑FZ).
Об авторах
Эту статью подготовила и проверила команда экспертов в области международного права, прав человека и геополитического анализа. Участники имеют более 15 лет опыта в исследованиях, правовой документации и разработке образовательного контента.
Методология
Контент на этом сайте собирается и проверяется экспертами в области международного права, прав человека и геополитических исследований. Источники включают официальные правовые документы, национальное и международное законодательство, резолюции ООН, отчеты международных организаций и проверенные открытые источники. Каждое утверждение сверяется с несколькими первичными и вторичными источниками, что обеспечивает точность, нейтральность и надежность независимо от темы — будь то анализ нарушений российского законодательства, украинского права или международных правовых норм.
Заявление экспертов
Авторы подтверждают, что представленная информация отражает установленные правовые толкования и задокументированные факты. Анализ основан на принципах международного права и общепризнанных геополитических оценках. Для обеспечения прозрачности и доверия предоставлены ссылки на официальные документы и отчеты.
Дата последнего изменения: 25/11/2025