Ukraine: Russia is a 'Terrorist State'

On Tuesday, June 6, Ukraine labeled Russia a 'terrorist state' at the start of an international court hearing regarding Russia's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, who are accused of downing a Malaysian airplane in 2014. This is the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, that legal representatives from both Ukraine and Russia have participated in this UN-affiliated court in The Hague, Netherlands. Both countries have sent legal teams comprising dozens of members to the international court sessions. The 16-member panel of judges is examining Ukraine's claim that Russia violated the UN's anti-terrorism convention by equipping and financing pro-Russian separatist forces. These forces shot down a Malaysian passenger plane over eastern Ukraine in the summer of 2014 with a Russian-made missile, resulting in the deaths of all 298 crew and passengers. Russia has denied these allegations. Ukraine has also requested the court to order Russia to cease discrimination against the Tatar ethnic group in the occupied Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014 based on the results of a 'referendum.' Ukraine and many countries around the world have opposed Moscow's actions. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian official on Tuesday accused Russia of destroying the Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, stating that Russia targets civilian infrastructure due to its inability to defeat Ukrainian forces. Speaking at the international court session in The Hague, he added that Russia's actions amount to 'the actions of a terrorist state.' According to Associated Press, Russia claims that the dam was destroyed due to bombardment by Ukraine. The news agency noted that verifying the accuracy of either claim is difficult. Previously, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, on charges of committing war crimes. Lloyd Austin emphasized the 'defensive use' of American military equipment used by Ukraine. Ukraine claims that Russia's allegations of extensive attacks are an information trick. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine has led to the evacuation of surrounding villages due to flooding. Zelensky stated that Russia has failed in the war, while Putin continues to deny reality. Ukraine noted that some parts of Iranian Shahed drones belong to Kyiv's allies. Blinken stated that Russia's withdrawal from Ukraine is a prerequisite for a just and lasting peace.