CRS Legal Sidebar, The Law of War and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, March 6, 2022 – “In the days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, many countries condemned the action as a violation of international law governing when countries may use force against one another.Since then, several observers, including the U.S. Secretary of State and other foreign government officials, have cited evidence that the Russian military has targeted civilians, struck protected sites, and taken other actions that violate international law regulating the conduct of war. This Legal Sidebar provides a brief introduction to the international legal framework governing the use of force in the invasion of Ukraine and concludes with a discussion of avenues for accountability and options for Congress.”

See also from CRS – War Crimes: A Primer March 15, 2022; and CRS Insight Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: NATO Response, March 15, 2022.