International Humanitarian Law at the Crossroads: A Strategic Reflection on the Failure of Civil Protection in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

RH Aritonang; Aji Sujiwo; Tarsisius Susilo; Rapy Tadung; Andar Dodianto Panggabean

doi:10.47268/balobe.v5i2.3096

Authors

RH Aritonang Staff College of the Armed Forces, Bandung, Indonesia
Aji Sujiwo Staff College of the Armed Forces, Bandung, Indonesia
Tarsisius Susilo Staff College of the Armed Forces, Bandung, Indonesia
Rapy Tadung Staff College of the Armed Forces, Bandung, Indonesia
Andar Dodianto Panggabean Staff College of the Armed Forces, Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47268/balobe.v5i2.3096

Keywords:

International Humanitarian Law, Civil Protection, Conflict, War Ethics.

Abstract

Introduction: This article analyzes the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, focusing on the impact of hybrid warfare on civilian protection mechanisms.

Purposes of the Research: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the failure of civilian protection during the Russia–Ukraine conflict from legal, ethical, and strategic perspectives.

Methods of the Research: This research uses a qualitative normative method, employing case study and literature review approaches, supported by interviews with legal practitioners to explore gaps between IHL norms and military operations.

Results of the Research: The findings of this study show a critical disjunction between IHL provisions and military practices on the ground, leading to significant risks for non-combatants. The hybrid nature of the conflict complicates legal accountability and ethical compliance. This article offers a novel recommendation for reformulating combat strategies and updating military education curricula to better internalize IHL principles in contemporary armed conflicts.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citation Metrics

References

Anthony Cullen, “The Role of International Humanitarian Law Education in Military Training: Challenges and Opportunities,” Journal of Conflict & Security Law 19, no. 3 (2014): 473–494.

Damara Nathania Boru Siahaan and Tjokorda Istri Diah Widyantari Pradnya Dewi, “Invasi Rusia ke Ukraina 2022 dalam Perspektif Hukum Humaniter Internasional”, Jurnal Kertha Negara 11, no. 4 (2023).

Human Rights Watch, Russia: Apparent War Crimes in Ukraine, April 2022. https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/russia-apparent-war-crimes-ukraine.

Human Rights Watch, Ukraine: Civilian Deaths in Russian Attacks May Be War Crimes, February 2022, tersedia di: https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/25/ukraine-civilian-deaths-russian-attacks-may-be-war-crimes.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), “International Humanitarian Law and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflicts", Report 2022): 13–20.

ICRC, Guidelines on Integrating International Humanitarian Law into the Training of Armed Forces, Geneva: ICRC, 2019.

Jeff McMahan, “The Ethics of Killing in War,” Ethics, 114, no. 4 (2004): 693–733.

Jeff McMahan, Killing in War, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Jelena Pejic, “The Protective Scope of Common Article 3: Legal Policy and Operational Relevance,” International Review of the Red Cross, 93, no. 881 (2011): 189–212.

Marco Sassòli, International Humanitarian Law: Rules, Controversies, and Solutions to Problems Arising in Warfare, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019.

Michael Walzer, Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations, (New York: Basic Books, 2015.

Pujayanti, Adirini. “Posisi Rusia dan Perkembangan Krisis Ukraina.” Jurnal Info Singkat Hubungan Internasional 6, no. 13 (2014).

Wasis Susetio, Zulfikar, and Anatomi Muliawan, “Pelanggaran Hukum Internasional dalam Perang Rusia-Ukraina”, Lex Jurnalica 20, no. 1, (2023).

Rachel Manitik, “Protection of Civilian Populations in International Armed Conflict According to International Humanitarian Law”, Lex Privatum 11, no. 1 (2023).

Sandesh Sivakumaran, The Law of Non-International Armed Conflict, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.

Soerjono Sukanto and Sri Mamudji, Penelitian Hukum Normatif: Suatu Tinjauan Singkat, Jakarta: Rajawali, 2001.

Terry Gill and Dieter Fleck (eds.), The Handbook of International Law of Military Operations, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.

Terry D. Gill, “Humanitarian Law in Military Academies: The European Model,” in the Terry Gill & Dieter Fleck (eds.), The Handbook of International Law of Military Operations, Oxford: OUP, 2010.