Удосконалення кримінального законодавства України в умовах російсько-української війни 2022 року
Improvements of Criminal Legislation of Ukraine in the Conditions of the Russia-Ukraine War of 2022

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the review of the amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine during the first month since the beginning of the next act of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The analyzed period is limited to the timeframe from February 24 to March 25, 2022. During this period, the Ukrainian parliament adopted 10 pieces of legislation related to amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It is noted that the relevant amendments to the legislation were made throughout Ukraine during the period of martial law. The main purpose of the adopted changes was to strengthen criminal liability for crimes committed during martial law and criminalize certain acts that have not yet provided for the occurrence of criminal liability. The first law to supplement the criminal legislation of Ukraine during martial law was the law on collaboration. Collaborative activities are now understood as a fairly wide range of criminal acts: public denial of armed aggression against Ukraine; public appeals to support the decisions and/or actions of the aggressor state; propaganda in educational institutions, voluntary employment in illegal authorities, etc. Also, the Criminal Code of Ukraine is supplemented with articles criminalizing the threat of murder of a serviceman (including production/distribution of materials containing such a threat) and justification, recognition of legitimate, denial of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (including production/distribution of relevant materials). In terms of liability for treason and sabotage, the legislator strengthened the liability of perpetrators to life imprisonment with confiscation of property (if the relevant crimes were committed under martial law). A separate law stipulates that civilians are not criminally liable for the use of firearms against persons who carry out armed aggression against Ukraine if such weapons are used in accordance with the requirements of a special law. Criminal liability for theft, robbery, banditry, and extortion has been strengthened. Responsibility for looting has also been strengthened. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also passed a law recognizing the fulfillment of the duty to protect the Fatherland, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine as a circumstance that excludes criminal wrongdoing. Laws were also passed to increase criminal liability for cybercrime, establish liability for the illegal use of humanitarian aid, and disseminate information on the relocation, movement, or position of the Armed Forces of Ukraine).

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