Europol databases hold data on almost 3,000 suspects of war crimes in Ukraine

What was said in The Hague

Europol’s information system already contains data on about 3,000 people suspected of war crimes in Ukraine. This was discussed at the European Police Chiefs Convention at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague, the Main Investigation Department of Ukraine’s National Police reported (via Ukrinform).

According to the department, Europol’s acting executive director Jürgen Ebner specifically acknowledged the National Police’s contribution to filling this system.

According to Europol, the convention itself took place in The Hague on 28–30 September and brought together more than 500 police chiefs and delegates from 59 countries and 15 international organisations. The main topics on the official agenda were artificial intelligence in law enforcement, lawful access to data, disinformation and the prevention of radicalisation.

Experience Ukraine is offering Europe

Acting head of the National Police Maksym Tsutskiridze said in his speech at the opening session that Ukrainian police have investigative experience that makes it possible to recognise a Russian intelligence operation behind an individual arson, act of sabotage or cyberattack. In his view, sharing data with partners on identified organisers and perpetrators, recruitment methods and the preparation of crimes will help detect the activity of such networks outside Ukraine as well.

To work on this permanently, the National Police has proposed setting up a joint Ukrainian-European group to counter hybrid threats. Its tasks would include rapid exchange of evidence, coordinated investigations, training of units and early warning of partners. The department named its priorities as the activities of Russian intelligence services and their agents, sabotage, reconnaissance drones, cyberattacks and the financing of aggression.

The shadow fleet as a separate topic

Tsutskiridze also highlighted the risks linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. Beyond sanctions evasion and financing the war, they include the possible use of vessels for reconnaissance near ports and critical infrastructure. “Ukraine is initiating the creation within Europol of a dedicated operational task force to analyse data on vessels, their owners and operators, related companies and financial flows,” the National Police said.

Bilateral talks

On the sidelines of the convention the Ukrainian delegation held a series of meetings:

• Germany. Holger Münch, president of the Federal Criminal Police Office, proposed a meeting of specialist experts to study Russian methods of operation, the use of drones, and the activities of mercenaries and foreigners involved in the war against Ukraine.
• Poland. The sides discussed setting up working groups to exchange information on hybrid threats.
• Finland. The talks concerned sharing data on people who may pose a security risk.
• Eurojust. With Eurojust president Michael Schmid the delegation discussed preserving evidence of war crimes, countering online fraud and coordinating international investigations.
• Sweden. The sides discussed support for Ukraine joining the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT) at Europol and the work of a Ukrainian liaison officer there.
• United Kingdom. With Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, the focus was on developing digital forensics and equipping Ukrainian units.

Illegal arms trafficking and cybercrime were also on the agenda.

Why it matters

Being listed in a Europol database is not a conviction – it is information that law enforcement agencies in different countries can work with. For comparison, Ukrinform recalls that as of 12 October last year Ukraine’s own “War Criminal” database contained data on almost 900,000 people involved in crimes against Ukraine.

“The earlier we stop the preparation of a crime, the more lives we save – in Ukraine and across Europe,” Tsutskiridze said.