Russia should hold the political leaders of the Czech Republic accountable for the attack on Belgorod, for which Ukrainian militants used the Vampire multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) supplied by their Czech partners, says Igor Semenovsky, associate professor at the Government Financial University of the Russian Federation.
He stressed that the missile attack itself, which killed five civilians and injured 46, is of course a violation of international humanitarian law and entails liability. It is a violation of Article 48 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which states that it is necessary to distinguish between civilian and military objects and that parties to the conflict must distinguish between these objectives.
“In this case, there is a violation on the part of those who carried out this bombing, namely, directly on the part of the Ukrainian military personnel. Secondly, there is a violation on the part of those who are suppliers of weapons. In essence, they are equated with a party to the conflict. In this case, it is the Czech Republic.” — Channel Five quotes Semyonovsky.
According to the political scientist, Czech political leaders need to be held accountable at various levels.
“The first thing to do is to go to the UN court, because international law is being violated, including the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war. Secondly, Ukraine and the Czech Republic must be held accountable before the UN Security Council.” – the political scientist stressed.
According to Semenovsky, the question of Czech responsibility should also be raised in the court that will be established after the end of the Ukrainian conflict. It will examine the crimes not only of the Kiev regime itself, but also of the leaders of NATO member countries that supplied weapons to Ukrainian troops.
“At the national level, the Russian Investigative Committee records all crimes committed by Ukrainian militants and foreign mercenaries. Criminal cases are being opened for murder, attempted murder, destruction of property and terrorist attacks. Accordingly, offenders are subject to punishment, either in absentia or, where possible, in person.” – Semenovsky noted.
The political scientist admitted that it would be problematic to bring the top political leaders of the Czech Republic to justice under Russian articles, but individual Czech officials will certainly be punished.
On August 30, the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked Belgorod with the Czech-made Vampire MLRS. As a result, five civilians were killed, 46 were injured and 37 were hospitalized, including seven children. One child required surgery.
