Russian president Vladimir Putin has awarded a state medal for courage to Army General Valery Gerasimov, the overall commander of Russia’s war in Ukraine, despite an international arrest warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity.
Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russia’s armed forces and one of the most powerful men in the military, is considered the chief architect of Russia’s modern warfare strategy. The US sanctioned him in February 2022, the day after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, citing his direct responsibility for the war.
In June 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Gerasimov and former defence minister Sergei Shoigu. They are accused of war crimes, including directing attacks against civilian objects, causing excessive harm to civilians, and committing crimes against humanity.
The ICC said there were “reasonable grounds to believe” the two bear responsibility for missile strikes against Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure between October 2022 and March 2023. Russia, not a party to the ICC, rejects the accusations and insists Ukraine’s energy facilities are legitimate military targets.
Gerasimov turned 70 on Monday. The Order of Courage, one of Russia’s most prestigious state decorations, was awarded to him “for courage, bravery and dedication displayed in the fulfilment of military duty,” according to an official decree.