Kursk operation: it is really a wonder that the russian invaders suddenly remembered that a state border does exist

I don’t comment on the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border in the Sumy and Kursk regions in military terms. it is really a wonder that the Russian invaders suddenly remembered that a state border does exist!

But I would like to give a reference in terms of international law.

First, according to Art. 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine has the “inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against it.”

Second, it was the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine (confirmed not only by the de facto invasion and temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine by regular Russian troops, but also by many documents of the UN and other organizations and by Ukraine itself) that became the basis for Ukraine to exercise the right to self-defense. Ukraine may not refrain from using force against the Russian Federation.

Third, in case of exercising the right to self-defense, it can also be exercised on the territory of the aggressor (including on land, in the air, at sea);

Fourth, all means of defense, including weapons and equipment provided by partners can be used;

Fifth, by exercising the right to self-defense and taking relevant military actions, Ukraine not only defends itself, but also contributes to the solution of the main task of modern international law – to ensure peace and preserve the world legal order.

Conclusion: such potential actions against the aggressor are not considered as aggression itself, but only as DEFENSE and ARMED DEFENSE.

Therefore, to say: “aggression” is WRONG; “self-defense”, “armed defense” – CORRECT;

“invasion” is WRONG; “restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty” – CORRECT;

“escalation” – WRONG; “coercion to peace” – CORRECT.

Valeriy Chaluy

Ukraine Front Lines