What happens to the people of the occupied territories of Ukraine? It could be up to Canada

Canada could file a class action claim against Russia before the International Court of Justice on behalf of the displaced people in a clear signal that Canada is willing to lead again on the world stage.

The occupied territories are already a class-action lawsuit waiting to happen, and given the political deal-making regarding eastern Ukraine, perhaps it’s time for Canada to step up, write Jon Unruh and Michael Cholod. UN Photo/CIJ-ICJ/Frank van Beek courtesy of the ICJ

Opinion

BY JON UNRUH, MICHAEL CHOLOD

August 13, 2025

Russia’s full-scale of invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has displaced more than 14 million Ukrainians. For 1.5 million of these people from the eastern occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, and Crimea, this is their 11th year away from home following the...

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