The U.S. government has formally accused Russia of committing "crimes against humanity" in Ukraine, a designation implicating high-level decision-makers in widespread atrocities. Vice President Harris announced the charge on Sat., Feb. 18 while speaking at the Munich Security Conference, citing examples of murder, torture, and rape conducted by the Russian forces. Simultaneously, Secretary of State Blinken released a statement confirming the commission of crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

Ukraine has faced nearly a year of conflict and violence since Russia launched its “special military operation” in March, 2021. The United Nations-backed Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine identified war crimes, but stopped short of ascribing them to crimes against humanity. However, the U.S. government has examined the evidence and concluded that the Russian forces have gone beyond usual conflict, involving widespread and systemic attacks against civilians. The U.S. Agency for International