IHL

“We remind that if the Kyiv regime concentrates soldiers in a given place they become a legitimate target for strikes including from the point of view of IHL,” the initials for international humanitarian law, he told the Security Council.

Since 2000, the state’s general fund has grown by 82% overall while the IHL’s appropriations from the fund have only grown by 8%, according to figures presented by agency.

The sort of advantage gained by an attack is also a factor when considering whether it is a violation of IHL.

As a former US Air Force targeting officer, Prof Schmitt also doubts that Russia is fully validating every object it attacks - another requirement of IHL.

A former Michigan player, he had a brief stint in the NHL and split pro six seasons in the IHL and AHL.