The numerous violations of the 4th Geneva Convention against Ukrainian civil population

The world has evolved significantly over the past centuries. Through conflicts and the horrors associated with them, humanity has mobilized to establish rules aimed at protecting individuals not involved in armed conflicts and imposing restrictions on methods of warfare. These jus cogens (peremptory norms) are codified in the Geneva Conventions and their various Additional Protocols.

Despite the international legislative framework governing armed conflicts, Russia has deliberately violated the Geneva Convention. According to the United Nations session 9126E (07.09.2022), more than 13,917 civilian casualties have been recorded, with 5,718 Ukrainian men, women, and children killed, representing 41% of the total victims. In January 2025, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine issued a December 2024 update where the total number of civilian casualties since the beginning of the full-scale invasion was 40,838 people (12,456 killed and 28,382 injured). This highlights the Russian government’s deliberate breach of the very essence of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Article 3 of the Fourth Geneva Convention protects “persons taking no active part in the hostilities, […] and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely” (4th Geneva Convention, Art. 3, 21.10.1950, UN). Paragraph A explicitly defines and prohibits “violence to life and person, […]” (4th Geneva Convention, Art. 3, a, 21.10.1950, UN), including mutilations, murders, and cruel treatment.

However, through its actions on sovereign Ukrainian territory, the Russian army has caused the death, endangerment, and mutilation of numerous Ukrainian civilians.

Another violation of Article 3, Paragraph A of the Fourth Geneva Convention is tragically exemplified by the deaths of numerous civilians in Bucha. Between February 27 and March 31, 2022, the Russian army, in a total act of dehumanization, carried out mass killings, acts of torture, rapes, and executions against registered Ukrainian citizens.

According to Le Monde, “The Russian army began its takeover on February 27, before cutting off electricity,” once again highlighting the Kremlin’s dehumanization of Ukrainians in this illegal invasion. In direct opposition to and in violation of Article 69, Paragraph 1 of Additional Protocol I, the Russian army deprived Ukrainian citizens of essential supplies necessary for survival. In February, the outdoor temperature in Bucha ranged between -5°C and 5°C, leaving our population at the mercy of the harsh winter cold. ( Google Weather) 

On numerous occasions, the Russian army has violated the Fourth Geneva Convention, directly contradicting the global commitment to preventing the consequences of international armed conflicts. This stark opposition underscores the brutality and dehumanization of Ukrainian citizens.

Eliott Debrais 

Art. 69 par. 1 AP I (4th Geneva Convention, Article 69, Paragraph 1, Additional Protocol I)

Basic needs in occupied territories

In addition to the duties specified in Article 55 of the Fourth Convention concerning food and medical supplies, the Occupying Power shall, to the fullest extent of the means available to it and without any adverse distinction, also ensure the provision of clothing, bedding, means of shelter, other supplies essential to the survival of the civilian population of the occupied territory and objects necessary for religious worship.

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