Medvedev calls for “smashing the AFU” after Hague court ruling

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev commented on the ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which rejected a number of Ukraine’s claims, and called on Russia to continue military operations against the Ukrainian armed forces.

In Medvedev’s view, Ukraine’s authorities “couldn’t care less about international law and international courts,” and Ukraine itself “only understands the language of force.” He explained his position in a post on the Max messaging app.

“It is necessary to destroy… the fleet, including naval UAVs, it is necessary to destroy their merchant vessels carrying military cargo, on the assumption that all their ships are engaged in this, and it is necessary to continue smashing their armed forces regardless of what they consist of and wherever they may be located,” the Security Council deputy chairman wrote.

The statement was prompted by a court ruling handed down in the course of proceedings between Russia and Ukraine that had lasted 10 years. The Hague court rejected Kyiv’s demand to have Russia’s proclamation of sovereignty over the entire Sea of Azov — following the annexation of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions — recognized as a violation of international law.

In addition, Ukraine was denied the return of control over hydrocarbon, fishing, and other resources in the waters off Crimea and the Sea of Azov region. Kyiv had previously also sought the demolition of the Crimean Bridge — a demand the court likewise rejected.