“Pravova derzhava”. Issue 37 (2026), pages 354–362.
DOI: 10.33663/0869-2491-2026-37-354-362
Bondaruk Vadym
Professor Volodymyr Vasylenko on human rights protection in conditions of armed aggression
ISSN online: 2617-9776 print: 0869-2491
Introduction. Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine has brought to the forefront the problem of protecting human rights in situations of armed conflict. Massive violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity require not only practical countermeasures but also profound theoretical reflection. In this context, the scholarly legacy of Professor Volodymyr Vasylenko, a prominent Ukrainian international lawyer, acquires particular relevance. His academic work, combined with extensive practical experience in international judicial and political institutions, offers a comprehensive legal framework for understanding and responding to contemporary challenges to human rights protection.
The aim of the article. The purpose of the article is to analyse the views of Professor Volodymyr Vasylenko on the protection of human rights under conditions of armed aggression through the prism of his scientific works and professional activity, and to assess the applicability of his legal concepts to the current Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Results. The article demonstrates that Vasylenko’s approach is based on the complementarity of national and international mechanisms of human rights protection, the principle of inevitability of responsibility for international crimes, and the central role of legal qualification of mass atrocities. Particular attention is paid to his methodology developed in the legal assessment of the Holodomor of 1932–1933 as genocide, including the analysis of special intent (dolus specialis). This methodology proves to be directly applicable to documenting and qualifying crimes committed by the Russian Federation after 2014. The study also highlights Vasylenko’s critical assessment of the limitations of existing international institutions and his proposals for alternative mechanisms, including the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression.
Conclusions. The article concludes that the scientific heritage of Professor Vasylenko remains highly relevant for the development of Ukraine’s international legal strategy. His ideas contribute to understanding Russian aggression as a systematic policy aimed at destroying Ukrainian statehood and identity, which necessitates a comprehensive international legal response. Vasylenko’s concepts form an important doctrinal basis for strengthening international accountability mechanisms and ensuring effective protection of human rights in situations of armed aggression.
Keywords: human rights, armed aggression, international law, international responsibility, Volodymyr Vasylenko.
References
1. Antonovych, M. & Mytsyk, V. (Eds.). (2013). Modern mechanisms for the protection of human rights (to the 75th anniversary of Professor Volodymyr Vasylenko). Kyiv: Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (in Ukr.).
2. Kysil, V. I. (2013). Volodymyr Andriiovych Vasylenko: 75th Anniversary. Іn M. Antonovych & V. Mytsyk (Eds.), Modern mechanisms for the protection of human rights (pp. 5–12). Kyiv: Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (in Ukr.).
3. Vasylenko, V. A. (1976). State responsibility for international legal violations. Kyiv: Vyshcha Shkola (in Rus.).
4. Vasylenko, V. A. (1982). International legal sanctions. Kyiv: Vyshcha Shkola (in Rus.).
5. Vasylenko, V. A. (1988). Fundamentals of the theory of international law. Kyiv: Vyshcha Shkola (in Rus.).
6. Vasylenko, V. A. (2013). Main trends in the development of international human rights law (general overview). In M. Antonovych & V. Mytsyk (Eds.), Modern mechanisms for the protection of human rights (pp. 13–36). Kyiv: Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (in Ukr.).
7. Vasylenko, V. A. (2009). Holodomor 1932–1933 in Ukraine as a genocide crime: legal assessment. Kyiv: Olena Teliha Publishing House (in Ukr.).
8. Vasylenko, V. A. (2016). Methodology of legal assessment of the Holodomor 1932–1933 in Ukraine as a crime of genocide. In V. A. Vasylenko & M. M. Antonovych (Eds.), Holodomor 1932–1933 in Ukraine as a genocide crime under international law (pp. 13–73). Kyiv: Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (in Ukr.).
9. Vasylenko, V. (2008, March 28). Ukraine’s participation in UN Human Rights Council confirms country’s compliance with international standards. The Day. URL: https://day.kyiv.ua/en/article/day-after-day/volodymyr-vasylenko-ukraines-participation-un-human-rights-council-confirms
10. Vasylenko, V. (2017, April 24). The potential of appeals to international courts has already been exhausted; Ukraine should take another path: interview with V. Vasylenko by N. Malynovska. Glavcom. URL: https://glavcom.ua/interviews/volodimir-vasilenko-potencial-zvernen-do-mizhnarodnih-sudiv-uzhe-vicherpano-ukrajini-treba-yti-inshim-shlyahom-411171.html (in Ukr.).
11. Vasylenko, V. A. (2014, March 1). How to engage mechanisms of the International Criminal Court. Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, (7), 5 (in Ukr.).
12. Usenko I. B. Petro Omelyanovich Nedbaylo — the teacher of our teachers. Journal of the Kyiv University of Law. 2018/2. Pp. 15–22.
13. Vasylenko, V. A. (2014). Russian-Ukrainian war of 2014: causes, course, and political-legal assessments. Ukrainskyi tyzhden. (42), 28–42 (in Ukr.).
14. Vasylenko, V. A. (2014, October 25–31). Armed aggression of Russia against Ukraine: geopolitical and national dimensions. Yurydychnyi visnyk Ukrainy. (43), 6–7 (in Ukr.).
15. Vasylenko, V. A. (2017). Fighting aggression or simulating it: legal aspect. Ukrainskyi tyzhden. (10), 17–20 (in Ukr.).
16. Agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine: Statute of the Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine, international treaty, 25 June 2025, ID No. 994_002-25. Holos Ukrainy, No. 138, 16 July 2025 (in Ukr.).
17. On the ratification of the Agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine: Law of Ukraine No. 4518-IX, 15 July 2025. Holos Ukrainy, No. 138, 16 July 2025 (in Ukr.).
Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 28.01.2026
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 03.03.2026
Дата публікації: 24.03.2026