European Court holds Russia accountable for human rights abuses in Ukraine

On July 9, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a landmark judgment regarding the severe human rights violations stemming from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, notably since 2014. This decision arose from a case initiated by Ukraine and the Netherlands against Russia, marking a significant inter-State application under the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court examined various elements, including the armed conflict that began in Eastern Ukraine with the occupation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and escalated following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Additionally, the case included the tragic incident involving the downing of flight MH17 in 2014, which resulted in the deaths of all passengers onboard, including numerous Dutch citizens. The Court's findings underscored Russia’s responsibility for systematic human rights violations over a period extending beyond eight years. It determined that Russia had breached the right to life when it shot down flight MH17, further complicating the circumstances for the victims' families, who suffered assorted traumas from a lack of cooperation on the part of the Russian authorities in international investigations. The context is amplified by the Court’s assertion that the events in Ukraine presented an unprecedented scenario in the history of the Council of Europe, indicating the extreme violence that has characterized the ongoing conflict. The ruling extended to the reprehensible use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, where systematic acts of sexual violence perpetrated by Russian troops and armed separatists have been documented. Victims spanned a wide age range, highlighting the brutal and terroristic intent behind these actions. The Court noted the impact of rape not only on direct victims but also how such violent acts are used as a tactic to demoralize communities. Additionally, the Court identified the abduction and relocation of children from their homes to Russia, which it classified as severe interferences with the right to family life, citing the continued absence of efforts for their reunification with their families as a breach of human rights. The implications of the Court’s ruling serve as a counter-narrative to Russian propaganda concerning the war in Ukraine. As the court proceedings continue to unfold in various international, regional, and domestic forums, the significance of this judgment in shaping the discourse around human rights violations in the context of the conflict should not be underestimated. It marks a critical point in the pursuit of accountability for the egregious violations that continue to affect countless lives in Ukraine and emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive international responses to address such humanitarian crises.