War crimes Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Russia’s Exit from Europe’s Anti-Torture Convention: Timing, Implications, and Strategic Logic

In late August 2025, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin issued a decree urging President Putin to revoke Russia’s adherence to the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or…

August 28, 2025Russia

Democracy Geopolitics War crimes

Russia and African Workers in the Defense Industry: A New Chapter in Neo-Colonialism

1. Introduction As the Kremlin confronts a labor shortage fueled by military mobilization and escalating economic isolation, Russia has increasingly turned to foreign nationals—especially from African nations—to sustain its defense-industrial…

June 17, 2025Africa, Russia

Conflict National Security War crimes Warfare

The Broken Easter Ceasefire: Russia’s Rejection of Restraint in Ukraine

Calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine around Easter 2025, particularly from the United Nations and international humanitarian actors, were intended to pause hostilities during the Orthodox holiday and facilitate humanitarian…

April 20, 2025Russia, Ukraine

- War crimes

Russian Missile Strikes on Ukrainian Civilian Targets: Strategic Aims, Political Messaging, and U.S. Response Implications

On [March,13], Russian forces launched a missile strike on the city of Sumy, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing significant casualties. The attack, far from a military front line, highlights a continuing Russian…

April 14, 2025Russia, Ukraine

Governance War crimes

Thomas Lubanga and the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR): Revival of Militancy and Regional Destabilization in the Great Lakes Region

Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, a convicted war criminal and former leader of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), remains a controversial figure in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the…

April 10, 2025CPC, DRC, M23, Uganda

Conflict War crimes

Blood in the Shadows: Protests in the Central African Republic and the Pattern of Wagner Group Atrocities

The recent wave of protests across the Central African Republic (CAR) reflects growing public outrage at the continued presence and influence of Russian mercenaries, particularly the Wagner Group. Sparked by…

April 7, 2025CAR, Russia, Wagner Group

Democracy ideology Intelligence ops Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops War crimes

Shadow Diplomacy: Russia’s Strategies to Whitewash Atrocities and Expand Influence in Africa

Russia has been actively working to whitewash its atrocities in Africa, leveraging a mix of propaganda, disinformation campaigns, diplomatic maneuvering, and economic influence. Despite accusations of human rights abuses and…

November 18, 2024Africa, Russia

Intelligence ops War crimes

Russia May Be Involved in Violating Arms Embargo in Darfur

The circumstances surrounding the destruction of a military transport aircraft in North Darfur may point to the existence of supply channels funneling Russian weapons into Sudan. On October 22, an…

October 22, 2024Darfur, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Sudan, UAE, Wagner Group

Democracy Geopolitics War crimes

The use of forced labor involving African citizens in Russia’s military factories reflects Moscow’s colonial approach to the African continent.

Moscow is engaging in human trafficking, employing African women in its defense industry through coercion. According to a report by the Associated Press, Russia has lured women from African countries…

October 11, 2024Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Uganda

War crimes

Russian Military Crimes in Mali Highlight Propensity for Sadism and Atrocities by Russian Expeditionary Groups

Russia continues to commit war crimes on the African continent. We previously analyzed numerous incidents of violence, extrajudicial killings, and rapes perpetrated by Wagner Group mercenaries in the Central African…

August 6, 2024Mali, Russia, Wagner Group