The International Criminal Court has launched official investigations into war crimes in Russia-invaded Ukraine.
This was announced by chief prosecutor Karim Khan on Wednesday evening in The Hague.
39 contracting states of the court had made a corresponding recommendation, which made the investigations possible.
Shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine began last week, the prosecutor said he was closely monitoring the situation.
On Monday he then announced his intention to launch an investigation.
According to the information, these now initially relate to possible crimes that were committed before the invasion of Russia.
In view of the spread of the conflict, however, the investigation should be expanded in his view.
The court had already investigated incidents related to the crackdown on pro-European protests in Kyiv in 2013/2014, as well as the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014 and in eastern Ukraine.
Basis for investigations "sufficient"
There is "sufficient basis for assuming that both war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed in Ukraine," the chief prosecutor said on Monday.
The investigation should focus on possible crimes by all parties in the conflict.
In light of the investigation, Khan on Thursday reiterated his call to all those involved in hostilities in Ukraine to "strictly abide by the applicable rules of international humanitarian law."
Ukraine is not a party to the International Criminal Court.
However, in statements since November 2013, the country has accepted the court's jurisdiction to try war crimes and crimes against humanity on its territory, according to the prosecution.
Russia does not recognize the court.
Johnson sees the facts fulfilled
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier on Tuesday evening in a speech in the House of Commons accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having committed war crimes in the Russian attacks on Ukraine.
"What we have already seen from Vladimir Putin's regime, regarding the use of ordnance that they have already dropped on innocent civilians, in my view, already fully constitutes a war crime," Johnson said.