The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine actively implements, applies, and promotes knowledge of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) within the Ministry's system.

To highlight and systematize these activities, the Ministry of Defense has published a Voluntary Report on International Humanitarian Law.

The Voluntary Report is available on the Ministry’s website in both Ukrainian (!! B5 UKR 10_21) and English (!! B5 ENG ENG ENG).

Although the Geneva Conventions of 1949 do not require states to report on the implementation of IHL norms in their national legislation, the publication of voluntary reports has become a notable trend in recent years, initiated by the United Kingdom.

The Voluntary Report was prepared with the support of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and in continuous consultation with the UK Interdepartmental Committee on IHL. The report provides a detailed overview, covering all key issues in the field of IHL, and is divided into six sections.

The Voluntary Report was successfully presented to the international community at one of the largest humanitarian platforms - the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Geneva, October 28-31, 2024).

The Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, and the National Red Cross Societies of the UK, Italy, and Ukraine, co-organized a thematic side event titled “Voluntary Reports on the Implementation of IHL at the National Level.”