The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Russia’s former defence minister and its military chief for attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. The Hague-based court stated that warrants were issued due to reasonable grounds to believe that the individuals were responsible for missile strikes on Ukrainian electric infrastructure. The ICC accused former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov of war crimes and crimes against humanity for inhumane acts. A large number of strikes on electric power plants and sub-stations in Ukraine were carried out by the Russian armed forces during the specified time-frame. The judges determined that the alleged strikes were directed at civilian objects, finding the collateral civilian harm and damage excessive concerning the anticipated military advantage. Russia has maintained that Ukraine's energy infrastructure is a legitimate military target and denies targeting civilians or their infrastructure. Last year, the ICC issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over abductions of children from Ukraine. In March of this year, arrest warrants were issued for two Russian military officers for their involvement in attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The court's announcement of the arrest warrants was unexpected, with implications that the two officials may be apprehended by countries that are parties to the Rome Statue. However, Russia, not being a member of the court, does not recognize its jurisdiction and refuses to surrender suspects. Putin replaced Shoigu as defence minister in a cabinet shuffle in May and appointed him as secretary of Russia’s Security Council. The Security Council labelled the ICC’s arrest warrant for Shoigu as part of a hybrid war against Moscow.