Protection of civilians in armed conflicts under international law

This article presents an in-depth analysis of international legal frameworks governing the protection of civilian populations during armed conflicts, with particular attention to their application in the context of the armed aggression against Ukraine. The study substantiates that safeguarding the life, security, and dignity of civilians constitutes a core principle of both international humanitarian law and international human rights law, implemented through adherence to the principles of distinction between civilians and combatants, proportionality in the use of force, humanitarian considerations, and restrictions on the means and methods of warfare. The study analyzes international legal norms that regulate the legal status of the civilian population and define the obligations of parties to an armed conflict regarding its protection. It also takes into account international standards that establish the limits of permissible actions in war and the duty of parties to avoid harm to civilians. Based on verified data from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the article analyzes trends in civilian casualties in Ukraine and the large-scale destruction of residential, social, and critical infrastructure. Special attention is devoted to legal guarantees for the protection of especially vulnerable groups, including women and children, as well as to issues of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence. The study also examines the case law of the European Court of Human Rights concerning armed conflict situations, focusing on questions of jurisdiction, standards governing the lawful use of lethal force, and the interaction between international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The article concludes that effective civilian protection cannot be achieved solely through normative regulation but requires robust enforcement mechanisms, systematic documentation of violations, and credible accountability processes.