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In response to the Russian attack on its soil, Ukraine has filed an application before the International Court of Justice to start proceedings against Russia. 

On 24th February the Russian Federation attacked sovereign Ukraine citing genocide by Ukraine on Luhansk and Donetsk. Russian President Vladamir Putin had justified the 'special military operation' on Ukraine accusing Ukraine of genocide in Dontesk and Luhansk.. Russia has also recognized independence of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” on 22 February 2022.  Ukraine has vehemently denied such allegation, stating, 

"In short, Russia has turned the Genocide Convention on its head – making a false claim of genocide as a basis for actions on its part that constitute grave violations of the human rights of millions of people across Ukraine. Russia’s lie is all the more offensive, and ironic, because it appears that it is Russia planning acts of genocide in Ukraine. Russia is intentionally killing and inflicting serious injury on members of the Ukrainian nationality – the actus reus of genocide under Article II of the Convention. These acts must be viewed together with President Putin’s vile rhetoric denying the very existence of a Ukrainian people, which is suggestive of Russia’s intentional killings bearing genocidal intent."

Ukraine has made the application citing Article I, II and III of the Genocide Convention contending that Russia's measures in the form of a “special military operation,” based on a false claim of genocide is incompatible with the Genocide Convention and violates Ukraine’s rights.

Ukraine has prayed for following relief:

• ICJ to adjudge that no acts of genocide has taken place in in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts of Ukraine.
• Adjudge and declare that the Russian Federation cannot lawfully take any action under the Genocide Convention in or against Ukraine aimed at preventing or punishing an alleged genocide,
• Adjudge and declare that the Russian Federation’s recognition of the independence of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” on 22 February 2022 is based on a false claim of genocide and therefore has no basis in the Genocide Convention.
• Adjudge and declare that the “special military operation” declared and carried out by the Russian Federation on and after 24 February 2022 is based on a false claim of genocide and therefore has no basis in the Genocide Convention.
• Require that the Russian Federation provide assurances and guarantees of nonrepetition that it will not take any unlawful measures in and against Ukraine,
• Order full reparation for all damage caused by the Russian Federation as a consequence of any actions taken on the basis of Russia’s false claim of genocide.

Ukraine v. Russian Federation