CRIMINAL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ECOCIDE: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the origin of the problem of protecting individual natural objects and animals both during and in Kievan Rus' and in subsequent centuries (XI – IX centuries). It is noted that in modern legal doctrine the term ecocide (from the Greek " olkoc " – house and Latin "caedo" – I kill) means the destruction of a house, dwelling, animal or plant life, poisoning of the atmosphere or water resources, as well as the commission of other actions that can cause an ecological disaster. It is stated that in international law the definition of ecocide includes facts of a negative targeted impact on the natural environment (biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and the Earth's atmosphere) in order to change its dynamics, composition or structure, impact on (or through) outer space, which can lead or has led to the mass destruction of the filling of the Earth's spheres, or other serious consequences, including during hostilities. The concepts of "ecocide" and "biocide" are distinguished. The authors draw attention to the signs of ecocide and the corresponding actions that contribute to it, dividing them into certain criteria. The criminal actions of the Russian Federation regarding ecocide are analyzed, starting from 2014 to the present. A criminal-legal characteristic of Art. 441 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is given. A conclusion is drawn on the need for criminal liability for ecocide offenses and its implementation in international legal documents , otherwise it will significantly affect the fundamental basis of a healthy future human existence – the environment.