Lawmakers Urge Intel Officials To Declassify Russian War Crimes Info

All Members of the House Intelligence Committee are Requesting that U.S. Spies Track, Preserve and, whenever possible, Declassify Information about potential Russian War Crimes in Ukraine, Information to Thwart the Kremlin, and someday hold it Accountable.

The Request, contained in a Letter signed by all 23 Members of the Panel, and sent this week to Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, comes amid growing Global concern about Russia’s attacks on Civilians in Ukraine, as well as Moscow’s veiled Warnings about using Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Weapons in the Country.

The Bipartisan letter, dated Monday, 3/21/2022, praises U.S. Intelligence Agencies’ unusual efforts, so far, to assist Ukraine and befuddle Moscow, by publicizing many of the Kremlin’s Plans in advance. It Requests that the Intelligence Community (IC), continue to “lean forward” in its Information sharing with Ukraine, including in ways that can help create Escape Corridors for Civilians caught in the Fighting.

In addition, “the IC should work diligently to declassify information related to Russia’s planned or actual war crimes or other atrocities,” the Lawmakers write. “Doing so might deter Russia from continuing down this path or further demonstrate to the world Russia’s callous disregard for the lives of civilians, and the indiscriminate assault that has killed thousands of Ukrainians, and displaced millions more.”

Last week, President Biden called Putin a “War Criminal.” U.S. Officials have also reacted sharply to Russian claims that Ukraine may have Chemical and Biological Weapons at its disposal, saying the Allegation is Bogus and could be a Set-Up for Moscow, to deploy its own such Weapons.

The House Intelligence Panel Members, led by Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA, 28th District) and Ranking Member Mike Turner (R-OH, 10th District), acknowledge the Challenges of bringing a Dictator like Putin to Justice.

Still, they urge Intelligence Officials to Leverage, the Tools at their disposal, to make cases against Putin and his Deputies in Forums such as the International Criminal Court. The Court started the Investagation phase, but has No Enforcement capability.

“Though the possibility of accountability appears distant today, we have a responsibility to bear witness,” the Lawmakers state in the Letter.










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