Electronic Theses and Dissertation

ABSTRACT (Sophia Listriani, S.H., LL.M.) This research examines the legality of Russia’s use of glide bombs in Ukraine through the lens of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with a specific focus on the principle of proportionality. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate, explosive weapons particularly air-dropped glide bombs have played a prominent role in the conduct of hostilities. While these weapons are technologically classified as precision-guided munitions, their extensive blast radius and use in densely populated urban areas have led to alarming humanitarian consequences, raising urgent legal and ethical concerns. This research aims to explore the International Humanitarian Law’s regulation related the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and whether Russia’s use of glide bombs in Ukraine violates the principle of proportionality. The study adopts a normative legal research approach, analyzing international treaties such as the Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols, and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), alongside case data from verified sources including the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). Findings reveal that while IHL permits the use of conventional weapons under strict adherence to the principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality, the use of wide-area explosive weapons like glide bombs in populated areas often fails to meet these standards. Documented cases of civilian casualties, including strikes on residential buildings, medical facilities, and urban infrastructure, demonstrate a recurring pattern of excessive harm relative to any concrete and direct military advantage. This study concludes that Russia’s deployment of glide bombs in Ukraine constitutes a violation of the proportionality principle and, by extension, of International Humanitarian Law. Recommendations include reinforcing international legal standards through new political declarations or treaties specifically addressing explosive weapons in urban settings, expanding accountability mechanisms for IHL violations, and strengthening protective measures for civilians in conflict zones. NURMALELA PUTRI 2025 ANALYZING THE ILLEGALITY OF THE USE OF RUSSIAN GLIDE BOMBS IN POPULATED AREAS IN UKRAINE UNDER THE PRINCIPLES OF PROPORTIONALITY Faculty of Law, Syiah Kuala University (v, 61), pp., tabl., bibl.