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The article “Corporate involvement in atrocity crimes in Ukraine”, published in the European Journal of Criminology and written by Annika van Baar, examines the role played by businesses in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Starting from the criticism directed at companies that continued to operate in Russia or maintain commercial relations with Russian actors, the author analyzes the risk that such activities could directly or indirectly contribute to the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Drawing on a criminological theoretical framework, the article further explores the motivations that explain why some companies remained active in a context marked by serious violations of international law.  

The conclusions show that profit-driven logic can prompt both the decision to continue operations and the choice to withdraw from the Russian market; over time, however, external pressures and structural constraints reduced the possibility for some firms to leave the country. The war has restricted the operational space for many companies while simultaneously creating new opportunities for others. Finally, the author notes that the sanctions regime has not fully halted commercial exchanges with Russia, that soft-law initiatives struggle to influence corporate decision-making, and that strong public condemnation has not translated into significant market reactions. 

For more information about the article, click here.