Rescue workers put out a fire of the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves during a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, condemns Russia's intensified attacks against Ukraine, including the deliberate and repeated targeting of civilians and civilian objects. Last night's strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra - a symbol of Ukrainian history and UNESCO world heritage site dating back to the 11th century - constitutes an attack on the cultural and spiritual heritage of Ukraine. The deliberate targeting carried out without regard to its protected status amounts to a violation of international humanitarian law, which affords special protection to cultural and religious sites during armed conflict.
Consistent with its previous condemnation of Russia's reckless indifference to the safety and protection of Ukraine's civilian population, the IBA calls for an immediate cessation of such actions and reiterates its support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine, as well as its commitment to the protection of international law.
Claudio Visco, IBA President, commented: 'The IBA urges the Russian Federation to immediately cease all unlawful attacks and comply fully with its obligations under the Geneva Conventions and other applicable international treaties. Attacks directed against hospitals, schools, residential areas, historical sites and critical infrastructure, not only inflict devastating human suffering but also undermine global peace and security. The IBA unequivocally denounces the intensified Russian attacks on civilians.'
Dr Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director, said: 'The recent attacks constitute egregious violations of international humanitarian law and demonstrate a blatant disregard for fundamental legal principles designed to protect human life, dignity and cultural identity and legacy during armed conflict. The international community must reaffirm its commitment to accountability by ensuring that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law are prosecuted through appropriate legal mechanisms. States should also support the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine recognising that the initial crime of aggression is a catalyst to all subsequent crimes.'
The IBA stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with legal professionals and human rights defenders working to document violations and uphold justice under difficult circumstances. This includes through the use of the IBA-founded eyeWitness to Atrocities , an app designed to support users in collecting verifiable digital evidence of international crimes and serious human rights violations.
