Olena Zelenska, wife of the Ukrainian President, addresses UN diplomats by video on February 22. AP
Olena Zelenska, wife of the Ukrainian President, addresses UN diplomats by video on February 22. AP
Olena Zelenska, wife of the Ukrainian President, addresses UN diplomats by video on February 22. AP
Olena Zelenska, wife of the Ukrainian President, addresses UN diplomats by video on February 22. AP

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Ukraine urges UN to establish special tribunal for 'crimes of Russian aggression'

Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President, calls for justice in video call to special session

Adla Massoud
Adla Massoud
United Nations

February 22, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Wednesday called on the UN to establish special tribunal for the “crimes of Russian aggression”.

“I'm calling on you to create a legal front of justice," Ms Zelenska told UN diplomats in a video address.

"It is needed to save the succeeding generations from this culture of war and reaffirm faith and fundamental rights of people."

She was speaking at a high-level event called Gross Human Rights Violations due to Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine.

“We have the right to live free not to be killed or tortured; the right not to be blown to pieces by a Russian missile,” she said.

Ms Zelenska shared photos of 16,000 Ukrainian children abducted and deported to Russia. Many have been sent to live with strangers throughout the country.

“From what we know they have been given to the Russian families and they're trying to erase their memory about their origin,” she said.

Ukrainian authorities have continuously accused Russia of child abductions during the war.

Russia, which has repeatedly denied its troops have committed any war crimes, said the alleged abductions were “voluntary evacuations” of children.

The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, echoed Ms Zelenska's concerns and accused Russian forces of committing “crimes against humanity in Ukraine".

February 24 will be a year since Russia started the Ukraine war. The National picks out the most powerful images from the conflict. AFP
February 24 will be a year since Russia started the Ukraine war. The National picks out the most powerful images from the conflict. AFP
A member of Ukraine's 79th Air Assault Brigade fires a rocket-propelled grenade at Russian positions near Marinka in February. Reuters
A member of Ukraine's 79th Air Assault Brigade fires a rocket-propelled grenade at Russian positions near Marinka in February. Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses MPs in Westminster Hall, London, in February 2023. Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses MPs in Westminster Hall, London, in February 2023. Getty Images
Destroyed buildings 32km west of the front lines in Donetsk in January. Getty Images
Destroyed buildings 32km west of the front lines in Donetsk in January. Getty Images
An anti-aircraft gun in January fires at Russian positions near Bakhmut, Donetsk. Reuters
An anti-aircraft gun in January fires at Russian positions near Bakhmut, Donetsk. Reuters
Destruction in the village of Bohorodychne, Donetsk. AFP
Destruction in the village of Bohorodychne, Donetsk. AFP
A Ukrainian artilleryman discards an empty shell on the outskirts of Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, in December 2022. AFP
A Ukrainian artilleryman discards an empty shell on the outskirts of Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, in December 2022. AFP
Children receive presents from a Ukrainian soldier dressed as Santa on Christmas Eve in Sloviansk. Getty Images
Children receive presents from a Ukrainian soldier dressed as Santa on Christmas Eve in Sloviansk. Getty Images
More than 1,000 missiles and rockets fired by Russian forces collected for cataloguing in Kharkiv in December 2022. Getty Images
More than 1,000 missiles and rockets fired by Russian forces collected for cataloguing in Kharkiv in December 2022. Getty Images
The Metro provides shelter as Russia launches another missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, in December 2022. Getty Images
The Metro provides shelter as Russia launches another missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, in December 2022. Getty Images
Children at a PE class in Kyiv after Russia abandoned its attempt to seize the capital in November 2022. Getty Images
Children at a PE class in Kyiv after Russia abandoned its attempt to seize the capital in November 2022. Getty Images
A sniper searches for Russian positions on the bank of the Dnipro river in Kherson in November 2022. Getty Images
A sniper searches for Russian positions on the bank of the Dnipro river in Kherson in November 2022. Getty Images
Graffiti by Banksy on a wall among the debris in Borodyanka in November 2022. Getty Images
Graffiti by Banksy on a wall among the debris in Borodyanka in November 2022. Getty Images
Ukrainian flags flutter around graves in a cemetery for soldiers killed in action in Kharkiv in October 2022. Getty Images
Ukrainian flags flutter around graves in a cemetery for soldiers killed in action in Kharkiv in October 2022. Getty Images
Parts of a drone, which Ukrainian authorities said was Iranian-made, after a Russian strike in Kyiv in October 2022. Reuters
Parts of a drone, which Ukrainian authorities said was Iranian-made, after a Russian strike in Kyiv in October 2022. Reuters
An elderly woman is helped across a damaged bridge in Bakhmut in October 2022. Getty Images
An elderly woman is helped across a damaged bridge in Bakhmut in October 2022. Getty Images
Fuel tanks ablaze on damaged sections of the Kerch bridge in Crimea, in October 2022. Reuters
Fuel tanks ablaze on damaged sections of the Kerch bridge in Crimea, in October 2022. Reuters
A destroyed bridge makes crossing the Donets river difficult, in Staryi Saltiv, east of Kharkiv, in September 2022. AFP
A destroyed bridge makes crossing the Donets river difficult, in Staryi Saltiv, east of Kharkiv, in September 2022. AFP
Firefighters at a thermal power plant in Kharkiv damaged by a Russian missile strike in September 2022. Reuters
Firefighters at a thermal power plant in Kharkiv damaged by a Russian missile strike in September 2022. Reuters
Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr with his daughter Nikole at Lviv railway station in August 2022. Getty Images
Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr with his daughter Nikole at Lviv railway station in August 2022. Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then-British prime minister Boris Johnson read a plaque in Kyiv in August 2022 dedicated to the latter for his support. Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then-British prime minister Boris Johnson read a plaque in Kyiv in August 2022 dedicated to the latter for his support. Getty Images
Destroyed Russian military equipment on Khreshchatyk street in Kyiv. The materiel was turned into an open-air military museum ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. AFP
Destroyed Russian military equipment on Khreshchatyk street in Kyiv. The materiel was turned into an open-air military museum ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. AFP
Shakhtar Donetsk v Metalist Kharkiv kicks off the Ukrainian Premier League season in August 2022 amid fears of bomb and missile alerts. EPA
Shakhtar Donetsk v Metalist Kharkiv kicks off the Ukrainian Premier League season in August 2022 amid fears of bomb and missile alerts. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen fire an American-made 155mm M777 howitzer in July 2022 in the Kharkiv area. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen fire an American-made 155mm M777 howitzer in July 2022 in the Kharkiv area. EPA
A bomb crater on the Antonovsky bridge across the Dnipro river in Kherson, July 2022. AFP
A bomb crater on the Antonovsky bridge across the Dnipro river in Kherson, July 2022. AFP
Maksym and Andrii with plastic guns at a 'checkpoint' they set up while playing in Kharkiv, July 2022. AP
Maksym and Andrii with plastic guns at a 'checkpoint' they set up while playing in Kharkiv, July 2022. AP
Ukrainian troops on Snake Island in June 2022. Reuters
Ukrainian troops on Snake Island in June 2022. Reuters
A woman evacuated from an area of conflict in June 2022 contemplates what the next move might be. AP
A woman evacuated from an area of conflict in June 2022 contemplates what the next move might be. AP
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv in June 2022. Getty Images
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv in June 2022. Getty Images
Graves in Irpin cemetery, May 2022. Getty Images
Graves in Irpin cemetery, May 2022. Getty Images
A Ukrainian soldier trapped within the besieged Azovstal Iron and Steel Works complex in Mariupol in May 2022. Reuters
A Ukrainian soldier trapped within the besieged Azovstal Iron and Steel Works complex in Mariupol in May 2022. Reuters
The wreckage of a Russian helicopter in a bomb-cratered field in Biskvitne, May 2022. Getty Images
The wreckage of a Russian helicopter in a bomb-cratered field in Biskvitne, May 2022. Getty Images
A Ukrainian army officer inspects a grain warehouse shelled by Russian forces in May 2022 near Novovorontsovka, Kherson. Getty Images
A Ukrainian army officer inspects a grain warehouse shelled by Russian forces in May 2022 near Novovorontsovka, Kherson. Getty Images
A boy from Mariupol arriving at an evacuation point in Zaporizhzhia in May 2022. Getty Images
A boy from Mariupol arriving at an evacuation point in Zaporizhzhia in May 2022. Getty Images
A Russian serviceman on guard outside Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in May 2022. AFP
A Russian serviceman on guard outside Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in May 2022. AFP
Oksana searches for salvageable items on the destroyed second floor of her home in Hostomel, April 2022. Getty Images
Oksana searches for salvageable items on the destroyed second floor of her home in Hostomel, April 2022. Getty Images
A floral memorial wall in Lviv for Ukrainian civilians killed during the Russian invasion, April 2022. Getty Images
A floral memorial wall in Lviv for Ukrainian civilians killed during the Russian invasion, April 2022. Getty Images
People fleeing Lviv, eastern Ukraine, in April 2022, wait for a bus that will take them to Poland. Getty Images
People fleeing Lviv, eastern Ukraine, in April 2022, wait for a bus that will take them to Poland. Getty Images
A Russian soldier patrols a bombed Mariupol theatre in April 2022, as Moscow intensified its campaign to take the strategic port city. AFP
A Russian soldier patrols a bombed Mariupol theatre in April 2022, as Moscow intensified its campaign to take the strategic port city. AFP
A Ukrainian celebrates success in Hostomel in April 2022. Getty Images
A Ukrainian celebrates success in Hostomel in April 2022. Getty Images
Julia Palovskaya reads to children during an air raid drill in the basement shelter at a preschool in Lviv, April 2022. Getty Images
Julia Palovskaya reads to children during an air raid drill in the basement shelter at a preschool in Lviv, April 2022. Getty Images
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Bucha in April 2022, where hundreds of bodies were found in the street and it was claimed the Russian leadership was responsible for killing civilians. AFP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Bucha in April 2022, where hundreds of bodies were found in the street and it was claimed the Russian leadership was responsible for killing civilians. AFP
Oleh Smolin, 23, who suffered leg injuries from Russian shelling in April 2022, in hospital in Chuhuiv. Getty Images
Oleh Smolin, 23, who suffered leg injuries from Russian shelling in April 2022, in hospital in Chuhuiv. Getty Images
Fleeing refugees arrive at the border train station of Zahony, Hungary, in March 2022. Getty Images
Fleeing refugees arrive at the border train station of Zahony, Hungary, in March 2022. Getty Images
A father says goodbye to his daughter on an evacuation train about to leave Odesa in March 2022. AFP
A father says goodbye to his daughter on an evacuation train about to leave Odesa in March 2022. AFP
Ukrainians under a destroyed bridge as they try to cross the Irpin river on the outskirts of Kyiv in March 2022. AP
Ukrainians under a destroyed bridge as they try to cross the Irpin river on the outskirts of Kyiv in March 2022. AP
People cram into Kyiv station to catch trains to Poland or to western parts of Ukraine, shortly after the initial invasion in February 2022. Getty Images
People cram into Kyiv station to catch trains to Poland or to western parts of Ukraine, shortly after the initial invasion in February 2022. Getty Images
A demonstration in support of Ukraine in Trafalgar Square, London, February 2022 . Getty Images
A demonstration in support of Ukraine in Trafalgar Square, London, February 2022 . Getty Images
Russian army vehicles in Armyansk, Crimea, in February 2022. AFP
Russian army vehicles in Armyansk, Crimea, in February 2022. AFP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on February 25, 2022, in a video on Facebook. He said 'we are all here', shortly after the Russian invasion began. AFP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on February 25, 2022, in a video on Facebook. He said 'we are all here', shortly after the Russian invasion began. AFP
A residential building damaged by a missile strike in Kyiv in February 2022. Getty Images
A residential building damaged by a missile strike in Kyiv in February 2022. Getty Images
A metro station in Kyiv in February 2022, crowded with people trying to escape the invasion. AFP
A metro station in Kyiv in February 2022, crowded with people trying to escape the invasion. AFP
A police officer addresses people gathered to protest against the invasion of Ukraine, in central Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 2022. AFP
A police officer addresses people gathered to protest against the invasion of Ukraine, in central Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 2022. AFP
A protester in support of Ukraine, in Berlin, Germany, in February 2022. Getty Images
A protester in support of Ukraine, in Berlin, Germany, in February 2022. Getty Images
Ukrainian soldiers prepare to repel an attack in Ukraine's Lugansk region on February 24, 2022. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers prepare to repel an attack in Ukraine's Lugansk region on February 24, 2022. AFP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on February 24, 2022, after Russia launched a full-scale invasion. AFP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on February 24, 2022, after Russia launched a full-scale invasion. AFP
A mass exodus from Kyiv after pre-offensive missile strikes by Russian armed forces on February 24, 2022. Getty Images
A mass exodus from Kyiv after pre-offensive missile strikes by Russian armed forces on February 24, 2022. Getty Images
Security personnel inspect the remains of a shell in Kyiv on February 24, 2022, soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine. AFP
Security personnel inspect the remains of a shell in Kyiv on February 24, 2022, soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine. AFP
CCTV footage shows Russian military equipment crossing a Crimea border checkpoint on February 24, 2022. AFP
CCTV footage shows Russian military equipment crossing a Crimea border checkpoint on February 24, 2022. AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin early on February 24, 2022, when he announced a 'military operation' in Ukraine. AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin early on February 24, 2022, when he announced a 'military operation' in Ukraine. AFP

“This is not a determination we make lightly. But in this case, the evidence is overwhelming,” Ms Thomas-Greenfield said.

A recent study by the Yale School of Public Health estimates that at least 6,000 Ukrainian children, aged between four months and 17 years, are being held in “re-education” camps in Moscow-occupied Crimea and mainland Russia in the past year.

The report identified 43 centres involved in holding children from Ukraine since Russia’s February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the Human Rights Council in March of last year, and the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine have documented a wide range of atrocities and other abuses committed by Russian forces Ms Thomas-Greenfield said.

US President Joe Biden on Monday made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Mr Biden's stop was part of a European trip to coincide with the first anniversary on Friday of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“The cost that Ukraine has had to pay is extraordinarily high,” he said. “Sacrifices have been far too great.”

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