The Role of Lawfare in the Russian–Ukrainian War

doi: 10.32563/hsz.2026.2.1

Abstract

The war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022, is being waged not only on the battlefield but also through legal means. This article explores how international and domestic law have become tools in the conflict: Russia uses legal language to justify its aggression, while Ukraine turns to international courts and sanction mechanisms to hold the aggressor accountable. Through concrete examples, the piece analyses the practice of lawfare – from courtroom litigation and reparations claims to propaganda-driven legal narratives –highlighting how law has become a critical front in modern warfare.

Keywords:

lawfare Russia-Ukrain war international law ICJ ICC sanctons reparations legal narratives war crimes legal warfare

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