The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
The ICC's prosecutor said Putin bore responsibility for crimes such as murder, torture, and the use of prohibited weapons against Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
The Russian embassy in The Hague, where the ICC is based, dismissed the accusation as "another example of political pressure."
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
The ICC prosecutor has claimed that Russian troops were present in Ukraine and were responsible for murders, torture, and the use of prohibited weapons against Ukrainian soldiers and civilians during the armed conflict in 2014.
The prosecutor found that Putin had practical authority over the Russian military and is, thus, accountable for their actions.
The Russian embassy has rejected the allegations and called them "another example of political pressure.
" In contrast, Ukraine welcomed the decision and stated that it would pursue justice in this case.
The Ukrainian President's spokesman called it "a crucial step towards justice for thousands of Ukrainian victims."
Russia is not a member of the ICC, and Putin's indictment is unlikely to lead to his immediate arrest.
Still, the ICC hopes that the warrant will contribute to bringing justice to the victims of the war in Ukraine.