Russian Attacks on Medics and Medical Infrastructure: Submission to the ICC by the Centre for Civil Liberties and Partners
The Centre for Civil Liberties, together with its partners, has submitted an official communication to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) under Article 15 of the Rome Statute. The submission concerns systematic and deliberate attacks on medical personnel (both military and civilian), healthcare facilities, and medical transport in Ukraine. The document draws on research by Professor Michael A. Newton of Vanderbilt University Law School, as well as materials prepared by the Centre for Civil Liberties.
In addition to the central principle – that medical staff must be protected at all times – the submission describes the so-called “double tap” tactic. This involves Russian forces striking the initial victims and then targeting rescuers who arrive to provide aid. Such attacks not only prevent assistance from reaching those in need, but also breach international humanitarian law. This practice, seen previously in Syria, constitutes a war crime. The submission includes an annex setting out a chronology of such incidents to assist investigators and prosecutors in building evidence.
The Office of the ICC Prosecutor is now expected to initiate an investigation into the facts presented, identify those responsible, and bring charges. The ultimate goal is to ensure that military and political leaders are held accountable through international justice. At present, the international community must adopt a clear stance on Russia’s aggressive assaults on Ukrainian medical staff and infrastructure.
“Submitting these materials to the International Criminal Court in order to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on Ukrainian medics is the result of many months of joint work between the Centre for Civil Liberties, our partners, and Vanderbilt University Law School. I do not know whether the ICC will take this case forward; the Court independently decides whether to proceed with reports of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The information has been submitted under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, which means the ICC Prosecutor will first assess its credibility and then, if warranted, request authorisation from judges to open an investigation.
I am convinced our evidence falls within the ICC’s mandate. Deliberate strikes on medics, including in the deep rear, and ‘double tap’ strikes on rescuers have attracted global attention. These actions are designed to deprive victims of war of medical and humanitarian assistance. The Russian regime systematically uses crime as a method of warfare. This is unacceptable. The system of international humanitarian law, along with numerous international organisations, was created precisely to prevent such atrocities. Our appeal to the ICC, coming just before the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, is a reminder to the world that war crimes and crimes against humanity must be punished,” explains Dr Mykhailo Savva, political scientist and expert at the Centre for Civil Liberties.
As a reminder, the “Tribunal for Putin” initiative has documented 885 cases of attacks on medical infrastructure as of August 8, 2025. The violence is not limited to the destruction of hospitals and clinics. The NGO “Military Medics” reports numerous incidents of ambulance shelling, pharmacy looting, and acts of violence: killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture of medical personnel.
Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine. A second missile strike on Odesa on July 21, 2023, which resulted in rescuers losing two fire trucks.
