A new Nuremberg? Ukraine prepares to prosecute crimes of aggression

Ukrainian judges and prosecutors are drawing on international experience to investigate more effectively one of the most complex crimes of our time – the crime of aggression. From 16 to 19 March 2026, they took part in an annual study visit to the International Academy of the Nuremberg Principles in Nuremberg (Germany).

This visit took place at the invitation of the Academy and had a clear objective – to deepen the knowledge of Ukrainian specialists in the field of international criminal law, particularly regarding the prosecution of the crime of aggression.

The training programme, ‘Prosecuting and Adjudicating the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine’, focused on key issues shaping contemporary legal practice. Participants explored how the concept of the crime of aggression developed, its current place in international law, and how it operates in practice – from investigation to trial.

Attention was also paid to the historical foundations, in particular the significance of the Nuremberg Trials, which served as a starting point for the development of international criminal justice. At the same time, participants familiarised themselves with contemporary approaches to the classification of the crime of aggression, the principles of building an evidentiary case and constructing the prosecution’s case.

Complex yet critically important aspects were also discussed: how to establish a link between political and military leadership and acts of aggression, what standards of proof apply in cases involving international crimes, and how mechanisms for international cooperation and interaction with relevant institutions operate.

The training was not limited to theory. A significant part of the programme was practical: participants worked on case studies and modelled strategies for investigation and prosecution. This allowed them to apply the knowledge gained in conditions as close to reality as possible.

Such initiatives not only enhance the professional competence of Ukrainian judges and prosecutors but also strengthen cooperation with international partners in the field of holding perpetrators accountable for the most serious international crimes.

The National School of Judges of Ukraine expresses its gratitude to the International Academy of the Nuremberg Principles for organising the visit and for its ongoing support in the development of the Ukrainian judicial system.