Here`s what you need to know about Putin`s imposition of martial law. In practice, it is still unclear what will change on the ground in the highly militarized regions that are already militarily occupied or contested in Ukraine`s counteroffensive. The most significant change could be a new level of coverage for military action in the Russian legal system. While journalists may be subject to legitimate restrictions on rights such as freedom of expression or movement, imposed in accordance with the law and to the extent strictly necessary by the exigencies of the situation, they must also not be subjected to arrest, detention or other forms of punishment or reprisals simply for doing their job as journalists. Christian Marxsen is head of the Max Planck Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law. His main areas of interest include the prohibition of violence under international law and legal issues related to international armed conflicts. Here, it is not entirely clear, perhaps fortunately. First, Putin`s language reveals a cynical contempt for international law, citing reasons for his aggression that are clearly false. In doing so, it violates international law. At the same time, it is clearly aimed at selling the invasion to its own people as something that meets international standards. The most important instruments so far have been diplomatic condemnations, sanctions and arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The U.S. Treasury Department`s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday expanded sanctions on Russia by imposing economic blockades on Russia`s largest financial institutions, covering 80 percent of all assets, and the ability of public and private companies to raise capital. The Biden administration has also sanctioned more Russian elites and their family members. Meanwhile, the UK revealed what Prime Minister Boris Johnson described as “the largest set of sanctions ever imposed by the British government.” These include freezing the assets of more than 100 new companies and individuals (including all major manufacturers supporting the Russian military) and banning Aeroflot flights out of the country, which could particularly affect Russian elites who own real estate in London. The EU has imposed financial, energy, transport and individual sanctions. Russia has also tried to justify its invasion of Ukraine by comparing its actions to the interventions of the US and its allies during the Kosovo war, the Iraq war, the Libyan crisis and the Syrian civil war. Similarly, the experts rejected Russia`s argument that its invasion is justified on humanitarian grounds to protect Russian speakers in Donbass. Some commentators have questioned whether international law (including the UN Charter and the Genocide Convention) even allows nations to use force against another country to remedy genocide or human rights violations, as the legality of humanitarian intervention is strongly contested. [2] [5] In any case, Russia`s humanitarian justifications for the invasion are widely perceived as a pretext and are not supported by evidence that Ukraine has committed or is committing acts against Russians in Donetsk and Luhansk that may constitute genocide. [37] International humanitarian law does not prohibit fighting in urban areas, although the presence of large numbers of civilians imposes greater obligations on parties to the conflict to take steps to minimize harm to civilians.