After Russia was accused of attacking civilians in Ukraine, an inquiry into alleged war crimes was initiated.

The head prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said evidence was being gathered on alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

It came after 39 countries demanded that an investigation be launched.

In recent days, cities including as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson have been subjected to intense bombardment.

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has previously accused Moscow of war crimes after the country’s second city, Kharkiv, was hit by air strikes that killed people.

The mayor of Kherson said on Wednesday that Russian soldiers had taken control of the important port, the first major city controlled by Moscow since the invasion a week ago.

The ICC’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, indicated earlier this week that he expected to initiate a probe into the events in Ukraine “as soon as feasible,” but the referral from 39 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, allowed it to be opened without judicial permission.

He’ll examine at previous and contemporary charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, dating back to 2013, just before Russia annexed Crimea the following year.

The World Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutes persons accused of the most severe crimes against the international community when nations are unable or unwilling to do so.

Because the court lacks its own police force, it must rely on governmental cooperation to apprehend offenders. The International Criminal Court (ICC) can issue jail terms as well as fines.

More than 2,000 civilians have been killed, according to Ukraine’s official emergency service, since the Russian invasion began last Thursday, however this figure has not been independently verified.

One million people have already fled the nation, according to the UN’s high commissioner for refugees.

The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to urge a stop to the invasion of Ukraine.

Only four countries joined Russia in rejecting a vote demanding for the removal of all occupying forces, including Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, and Syria, while 35 countries abstained.

Although decisions of the United Nations General Assembly are not legally enforceable, the action further isolates Russia internationally.