February 24, 2026 marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA) strongly condemns the flagrant and on-going violations of international law committed by Russian personnel, and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to supporting Ukrainian authorities in their investigations and prosecutions of atrocity crimes that meet the highest international standards.
Over the past four years, Ukraine has recorded nearly 217,000 reports of atrocity and aggression-related crimes, including torture; sexual violence; forced deportations of children to Russia; mass killings; targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as residential buildings, hospitals and schools; and destruction of cultural heritage.
Continue reading for comments from individual ACA organizations.
International Criminal Justice Initiative (ICJI):
“The laws of war exist for a reason: because even in armed conflict, there is conduct that violates the human conscience and is therefore prohibited,” said Amb. (Ret.) Clint Williamson, Lead Coordinator of ACA and Senior Director for International Justice at Georgetown University Law Center. “What we have witnessed during these last four years is blatant disregard for international law by Russian personnel. This is first and foremost a tragedy for the people of Ukraine. But it is not their burden to bear alone. There is an important role for international justice actors to play, and ACA is committed to leveraging its deep expertise to assist Ukrainian prosecutors in ensuring that perpetrators of these terrible crimes are held accountable for their actions.”
European Union Advisory Mission for Ukraine (EUAM):
“On the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EUAM Ukraine mourns the immense human suffering caused by Russia’s war of aggression and condemns in the strongest terms the widespread violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes, and other atrocity crimes under international criminal law, notably crimes against humanity,” said Claudio Pala, EUAM Ukraine Head of the International Crimes Component and EU Deputy Lead Coordinator of ACA.
“In marking this solemn date, we reconfirm that state and non-state perpetrators of atrocity crimes must be identified, investigated and brought to justice now, and as a core and indispensable pillar of any future peace that is just, comprehensive and sustainable.”
Global Rights Compliance (GRC):
“Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and despite ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the armed conflict, Russia continues to carry out large-scale attacks against civilians, their homes, schools, hospitals, and more,” said Wayne Jordash KC, President of Global Rights Compliance and UK Deputy Lead Coordinator of ACA. “Critical are ongoing widespread and systematic strikes on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure. These callous attacks bear the clear hallmarks of inhumane acts amounting to crimes against humanity and undoubtedly constitute war crimes.
“Russia’s continued weaponisation of civilian infrastructure forms part of a calculated strategy to terrorise and punish civilians for resisting Russia’s war of aggression and to break the will of Ukrainians in furtherance of their unjust demands. Ukraine’s allies must redouble their efforts to provide humanitarian and financial assistance to help the country endure the winter; military support to enable it to defend its independence and Europe’s security; and sustained backing to ensure accountability. ACA stands ready to continue to support Ukraine’s law enforcement to pursue accountability for Russia’s myriad of violations of international law.”
European Union Project Pravo-Justice:
“Effective accountability for atrocity crimes depends on the capacity of national justice systems to investigate and prosecute these crimes in line with international standards,” said Oksana Tsymbrivska, Team Leader of the EU Project Pravo-Justice. “Through the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, we support Ukrainian prosecutors, judges and legal professionals in building cases that meet the highest international standards — so that justice for victims is real, credible, and durable. Strengthening accountability within national justice systems is not only a legal obligation, but a cornerstone of Ukraine’s resilience and its European future.”
International Development Law Organization (IDLO):
“IDLO is actively strengthening the rule of law in Ukraine by promoting the professionalism, transparency, resilience and effectiveness of public institutions, including those devoted to the investigation and prosecution of international crimes. Amid a profound and deteriorating humanitarian crisis, these efforts are critical to securing a just and sustainable peace for the Ukrainian people, grounded in the principles of respect for international law, accountability and justice for victims and survivors. Working closely with local and international partners, IDLO is also helping to strengthen the capacity of justice institutions while contributing to Ukraine’s progress toward European integration,” said Levan Duchidze, Head of IDLO in Ukraine.
The Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA) was launched in 2022 by the governments of the European Union, United Kingdom and United States to assist the Ukrainian authorities in ensuring justice and accountability for atrocity crimes committed by Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is composed of the International Criminal Justice Initiative at Georgetown Law, the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine, Global Rights Compliance, EU Project Pravo-Justice and the International Development Law Organization.