23 states have either renewed or amended their declarations of intervention in the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought by Ukraine against Russia concerning allegations of genocide in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, according to a Tuesday ICJ press release.

Six states have maintained their original declarations without adjustments while eight states have submitted amended declarations. Nine states have filed new declarations of intervention. Ukraine and Russia have been invited, in accordance with Article 83 of the ICJ rules of court, to submit written observations on the admissibility of these declarations. Should there be any objection by either of the parties, a further round of observations will have to follow, after which the court will decide on admissibility.

The case, filed by Ukraine on February 26, 2022, disputes Russia’s assertion that Ukraine engaged in genocidal acts in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, which Russia had cited as grounds for launching a “special military operation” and invading the regions. On March 16, 2022, the ICJ issued provisional measures ordering Russia to suspend military operations in Ukraine immediately. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the case saw extensive procedural developments, including the submission of preliminary objections by Russia, numerous declarations of intervention by third states, and a series of public hearings.

The ICJ in its judgement on February 2, 2024, affirmed its jurisdiction to hear Ukraine’s claims and confirmed its authority to adjudicate the dispute under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

In response to the February judgment, the ICJ Registrar invited states that had previously submitted declarations of intervention to confirm their participation by August 2, 2024. Under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, states parties to a convention have the right to intervene in proceedings, even if they are not directly involved in it.