An Unlawful War

Russia's invasion of Ukraine violated the prohibition force contained in United Nations Charter and peremptory norm general international law prohibiting aggression. The was not an exercise individual or collective self-defense, a humanitarian intervention, as Russia variously claimed. General Assembly rejected all such claims when 141 member states voted to deplore “in strongest terms aggression by Russian Federation against violation Article 2 (4) Charter” well “the involvement Belarus this unlawful use Ukraine.” This essay traces legal implications act aggression, its violations law, through criminal human rights state responsibility. It argues that violates every person it kills, are permitted may be required provide military assistance impose economic sanctions on Russia. As fights for survival independent state, remains both moral guide strategic asset.