ULAG implemented a comprehensive project aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s capacity to investigate and prosecute grave international crimes, with a particular focus on victim- and witness-centred approaches, the use of battlefield evidence, and compliance with international legal standards.
Key results:
ULAG implemented a comprehensive project aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s capacity to investigate and prosecute grave international crimes, with a particular focus on victim- and witness-centred approaches, the use of battlefield evidence, and compliance with international legal standards.
The project combined capacity building for justice-sector professionals, development of practical guidance tools, in-depth analytical research, and sustained advocacy at the national level. Its implementation coincided with key justice sector reforms linked to Ukraine’s EU accession process, enhancing the project’s strategic relevance and long-term impact. It focused on practical implementation of international standards on accountability for grave international crimes.
A core component of the project was the delivery of specialised training for prosecutors of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol (PARCS), as well as investigators of the National Police of Ukraine, who focus on crimes committed during the occupation of Crimea.
As a result, ULAG finalised the analytical report “How to Protect Victims of International Crimes in Criminal Proceedings in Ukraine: International Experience and National Priorities”. The report examines needs and risk assessments, institutional responsibilities, security measures as procedural safeguards, and Ukraine’s compliance with Directive 2012/29/EU. A concise policy-oriented summary was also prepared to support advocacy efforts.
The other result is a Guide “Using Battlefield Evidence in Atrocity Crime Cases”
The Guide was developed through extensive collaboration with national stakeholders and international experts, involving more than 30 drafting and coordination meetings. It consists of six substantive chapters and practical annexes, including chain-of-custody templates and reporting tools.
The Guide is available in Ukrainian and English, with 500 printed copies of the Ukrainian version disseminated among prosecutorial offices, investigative bodies, military units, educational institutions, and civil society organisations. Digital versions are publicly available via ULAG’s website and communication channels.
The delivered trainings, completed analytical research, and widely disseminated Guide provide sustainable tools and knowledge that will continue to support accountability efforts for international crimes in Ukraine beyond the project’s duration.
