The panel comprised Dr Kathryn Allinson, Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne, Dr Phil Burton and Dr Giacomo Biggio from the University of Bristol, and Professors Noelle Quenivet and James Green from UWE.

Professor James Green opened the panel by introducing the legal issues surrounding the initial invasion by Russia of Ukraine.

Dr Phil Burton then gave an historical perspective on the invasion by exploring the history of Ukraine’s statehood.

Professor Noelle Quenivet followed with a discussion of the actual conduct of the hostilities and compliance with the law of armed conflict.

Dr Giacomo Biggio subsequently explored the specific use by Russia of cyber operations to try to undermine Ukraine’s computer networks.

Dr Kathryn Allinson then gave an overview of the complex questions concerning Russia’s legal responsibility for its invasion and conduct of the war.

Dr Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne concluded the panel by outlining three specific examples of attempts to invoke the legal responsibility of Russia and individual perpetrators before international courts.

The event formed the first of what will be an ongoing series in the Centre for International Law of seminars that explore highly topical developments in politics and world affairs against the background of international law.