The relevance of the topic is substantiated by the rapid use of cyberspace for committing serious international crimes. States have reached a consensus that cyberspace is a new area requiring international legal regulation to prevent cybercrime and establish international criminal liability. The dependence of society and the armed forces on digital technologies and digital infrastructure leads to a growing number of cyberattacks in armed conflicts and hybrid wars. Such challenges require new approaches to countering cyberattacks. International humanitarian law can be used to reveal the criteria by which a cyberattack can be interpreted as an act of war and to consider the application of the principles of international humanitarian law to cyberwarfare.

The article analyzes the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to a cyberattack. The author substantiates whether a cyberattack can be considered an armed attack. The author examines the applicability of the basic principles of international humanitarian law jus in bello to cyberattacks. Cyberattacks can have the same effect as armed attacks. They can lead to human rights violations, destruction of critical infrastructure, loss of life and property. Cyberspace isan operational zone of military operations along with land, sea, and air. NATO states have identified cyberattacks as a major modern hybrid threat.

The article analyzes expert opinions, scientific opinions, and international acts that disclose and establish the limits of liability for cyberattacks. The International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over crimes caused by cyberattacks, which constitute war crimes, has been examined. The proposal to extend the application of the Rome Statute of the ICC to cyberspace is studied. The growing intensity and frequency of cyber operations also emphasizes the importance of developing and improving the ICC’s own operational practices.

Today, given the rapid development of new weapons technologies, the international community has a duty to systematically assess the legality of weapons, methods and means of warfare. There is an urgent need to develop a policy for the investigation and prosecution of cyber criminals under the Rome Statute. A new view of international law is needed that takes into account the specifics of cyberspace.

Bibliography

Authored books

1. Dinniss H, Cyber Warfare and the Laws of War (Cambridge University Press 2012).

2. Valeriano B, Maness R, Cyber war versus cyber realities: Cyber conflict in the international system (Oxford University Press 2015).

Edited books

3. Cook J L, ‘Is there anything morally special about cyberwar?’ іn J D Ohlin, K Govern, C Finkelstein (eds), Cyberwar: Law and ethics for virtual conflicts (Oxford University Press 2015).

4. Schmitt M (ed), Tallinn manual on the international law applicable to cyber warfare (Prepared by the International Group of Experts at the Invitation of The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, Cambridge University Press 2013).

5. Schmitt M, Vihul L, ‘The emergence of international legal norms for cyberconflict’ іn F Allhoff, A Henschke, B J Strawser (eds), Binary bullets: The ethics of cyberwarfare (Oxford University Press 2016).

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Journal articles

7. Blank L R, ‘International Law and Cyber Threats from Non-State Actors’ (2013) 89 International Law Studies 406.

8. Shuya M, ‘Russian Cyber Aggression and the New Cold War’ [2018] 11 (1) Journal of Strategic Security 1–18. https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.11.1.1646.

Newspaper articles

9. Nazarchuk I, ‘Kiberataka na Ukrainu: yaki vysnovky, zokrema pravovi, maiemo zrobyty?’

(Iurydychna Hazeta, 18.01.2022) <https://yur-gazeta.com/dumka-eksperta/kiberataka-naukrayinuyaki-visnovki-zokrema-pravovi-maemo-zrobiti.html> (accessed: 19.03.2024).

10. ‘Kiberzlochyny mozhut pidpadaty pid yurysdyktsiiu MKS – prokuror Khan’ (Ukrinform, 22.01.2024) <https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-world/3816924-kiberzlocini-mozutpidpada ti-pid-urisdikciu-mks-prokuror-han.html> (accessed: 19.03.2024).

Theses

11. Kipybida S P, ‘Gaps in International Humanitarian Law Regarding the Creation and Deployment of International Volunteer Cyber Armies” (Utica University, graduate work 2022).

Websites

12. Connell M, Vogler S, ‘Russia’s Approach to Cyber Warfare’ (CNA, 2017 March) <https:// www.cna.org/archive/CNA_Files/pdf/dop-2016-u-014231-1rev.pdf> (accessed: 19.03.2024).

13. Khan K, ‘Technology Will Not Exceed Our Humanity’ <https://digitalfrontlines. io/2023/08/20/technology-will-not-exceed-our-humanity> (accessed: 19.03.2024).

14. ‘Kiberataky, artyleriia, propahanda. Zahalnyi ohliad vymiriv rosiiskoi ahresii’ (Derzhavna sluzhba spetsialnoho zviazku ta zakhystu informatsii Ukrainy, 17.01.2023) https://cip.gov. ua/ua/news/kiberataki-artileriya-propaganda-zagalnii-oglyad-vimiriv-rosiiskoyi-agresiyi (accessed: 19.03.2024).