Russian Federation
Practice Relating to Rule 153. Command Responsibility for Failure to Prevent, Punish or Report War Crimes
The Russian Federation’s Military Manual (1990) provides that, during an armed conflict, a commander is obliged “to put an end to any violation of the rules of IHL [and] to prosecute persons having committed a violation of the rules of IHL”.
The Russian Federation’s Combat Manual (2005) states: “Every serviceman must prevent his subordinates and comrades from violating the norms of International humanitarian law, and report to their superior if such violations take place.”
The Internal Service Regulations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (2007) provides:
General Obligations of Commanders (Superiors)
77. … In the course of carrying out combat missions by a military unit, the commander (superior), guided by requirements of field manuals, must take measures aimed at respecting IHL rules and bring to disciplinary responsibility those guilty of breaching them. In the event of discovering constituent elements of a criminal offence in the actions (omissions) of his subordinates, the commander of the unit shall institute criminal proceedings, in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.