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Just War Theory: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

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Pamela Euler & Andrew Mac

PHL3030A : Global Justice Dr. Sandra Raponi

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If there is no just cause, then all killing by the aggressor is unjust. Those being attacked

can kill in self-defense.

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“To kill the innocent is impermissible”

“A just cause…has to be a goal of a type

that can justify killing and maiming.”

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• “[Bringing democracy] is ruled out…for people cannot be liable to killing and maiming simply for failing to organizer

their internal affairs in a democratic manner.”

• Preemptive self-defensive war is

ruled out. Threat must be imminent.

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According to Russia, the reason for this war is the liberation of separatist territory in Ukraine as well as the “denazification” of the country. Russia also stated that they are trying to “save” Ukrainian people from their government.

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In reality, the most plausible reason is

to create a buffer between Russia and NATO along with reclaiming land that

was once part of the Soviet Union.

There is also a view that Ukraine is

not an independent nation and should

be under Russia’s control, a similar situation to Taiwan.

The Russia-Ukrainian War is

classified as unjust when applying

Just War Theory. This is due to the amount of war crimes. In addition, the

war is ultimately lacking “just cause.” Russia has specific claims as to why

the war is taking place, and yet,

Russia has failed to provide

evidence to support these claims.

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Putin has created havoc on the Ukrainians leading many war crimes to occur.

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• Sexual assault: A 20-year-old solider

held a 32-year-old woman hostage with

her children and raped her multiple

times and threatened to kill her if she

didn’t “follow orders.”

• Looting: Russian forces were known

to be stealing food, water, and clothing.

• Targeting and killing Civilians: Soldiers are walking the streets of Ukraine killing anyone they see walking, running or

riding bikes. Attacks against civilian

objects. 15 days into the war schools, hospitals and nurseries have been hit

by bombs.

1. Discrimination - May only target military combatants
2. Necessity & Minimal Force - May only use the necessary amount of force
3. Proportionality - Force used must be proportional to the goal

1. Just Cause
2. Legitimate Authority
3. Right Intention
4. Last Resort
5. Probability of Success
6. Proportionality

ABSTRACT

Just War Theory is a moral theory that sets

out the conditions when war can be vindicated,

and what kinds of acts in war are justified. Important philosophers in the tradition include

St. Augustine, Aquinas, Grotius, Walzer, McMahan. We will consider whether Russia

is violating Just War Theory, and if so, what specific aspects are being violated.

Right to Go to War

Jus ad bellum

Right Conduct in War

Jus in bello

Jeff McMahan’s

Revisionist Theory

What is the Reason

for this War?

CONCLUSION

Violations of the Geneva Conventions