Last week’s conviction of Russian sergeant Mikhail Romanov represents a critical moment in Ukraine’s pursuit of justice amid ongoing conflict. The 31-year-old soldier received a life sentence in absentia for executing an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war—marking the first time Ukraine’s judicial system has secured such a severe punishment for wartime atrocities since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
The evidence presented at the Solomianskyi District Court in Kyiv was harrowing. Prosecutors detailed how Romanov and another Russian soldier detained two Ukrainian men in March 2022 near the village of Vysehrad outside Kyiv. After forcing them to kneel, Romanov shot one man in the head while his companion managed to escape and later testify. This testimony proved crucial to securing the conviction.
“This sets a precedent that will echo throughout this conflict,” said Kateryna Rashevska from Regional Center for Human Rights, who has documented war crimes since 2014. “The message is clear: command responsibility extends to every individual soldier, and Ukraine’s justice system can and will function even during active hostilities.”
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin emphasized the significance of this ruling through his office’s statement: “This conviction demonstrates our unwavering commitment to hold all war criminals accountable, regardless of their rank or nationality.” His office has registered over 118,000 potential war crimes since February 2022, with 500 suspects currently under investigation.
The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for several high-ranking Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, on charges related to the forcible deportation of Ukrainian children. While Russia rejects ICC jurisdiction and denies targeting civilians, the growing body of evidence suggests systematic violations of international humanitarian law.
I spoke with Olena Kravchuk, whose brother served in the same unit as the victim. “For families like ours, these convictions aren’t about vengeance,” she told me outside the courthouse. “They’re about establishing truth. Without accountability, there can be no lasting peace.”
Yet significant challenges remain. Romanov’s trial proceeded in absentia, as he is believed to be in Russia or Russian-controlled territory. This raises questions about enforcement and whether convicted war criminals will ever serve their sentences. Despite these practical limitations, legal experts maintain that such proceedings establish vital historical records.
“Even if immediate justice seems elusive, these trials serve multiple purposes,” explained Professor Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association. “They create official documentation of atrocities, provide victims’ families with acknowledgment, and signal to perpetrators that there is no statute of limitations for war crimes.”
Ukraine’s approach represents one component of a broader international effort. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine continues to investigate alleged violations by both sides, though their reports indicate Russian forces bear responsibility for the vast majority of documented war crimes.
In neighboring Poland, which hosts nearly 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees, international prosecutors are collecting testimony from witnesses who fled the fighting. This coordinated effort aims to create an evidentiary foundation that could support prosecutions for years to come.
Military analysts note that accountability efforts may influence battlefield conduct. “When soldiers understand they may face personal consequences for their actions, regardless of orders, it can affect operational decisions,” said retired Ukrainian colonel Serhiy Hrabsky. “Though we shouldn’t overstate this effect during active combat.”
The conviction comes as Ukraine continues pressing Western allies for additional military aid while defending against Russian offensives in the eastern Donbas region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized that justice mechanisms must complement battlefield efforts.
“Today’s verdict won’t stop Russian artillery or immediately bring our territories back,” said Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the announcement. “But it reinforces why we fight—to restore not just territorial integrity, but the rule of law itself.”
For ordinary Ukrainians enduring daily air raid sirens and power outages, these judicial proceedings provide a measure of hope amid grinding warfare. In Kyiv’s Independence Square, where I spoke with residents about the conviction, many expressed bitter satisfaction tempered with pragmatism.
“Will Putin ever face a Ukrainian judge? Probably not,” said 64-year-old former teacher Mykhailo Petrenko. “But at least history will record who did what, and why. That matters for Ukraine’s future, whenever peace finally comes.”
As winter approaches, Ukraine’s justice system continues processing hundreds of war crimes cases—even as prosecutors themselves sometimes work from underground shelters during air raids. This determination reflects a broader national resilience that has surprised many international observers.
The conviction of Sergeant Romanov may be primarily symbolic today, but symbols matter in conflicts that blend military, economic, and information warfare. For a nation fighting for its survival, establishing that no one stands above the law represents an essential victory—even if final justice remains distant.
