International court of justice to fast-track ruling on Russian invasion

Ukraine accuses Russia of illegally justifying its war by falsely alleging genocide in the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk. The case is one of a number being taken by Ukraine to international courts in an attempt to secure a ruling that Russia is acting illegally, or committing war crimes.

The ICJ was set up after the second world war to rule on disputes between UN member states, based mainly on treaties and conventions. Its rulings are binding but it has no real means to enforce them.

The case centres on the interpretation of the 1948 UN convention on genocide, signed by both countries. The treaty names the ICJ as the forum for resolving disputes between signatories.

Russia says it is acting in compliance with the UN charter to prevent a genocide which it claims has been committed against Russian-speaking Ukrainians, mainly in the self-proclaimed republic in Donetsk.

Since its full invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February, Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians. The official UN civilian death toll is 364, including more than 20 children, though officials say the true toll is probably higher.