Russia and Ukraine flashpoint

[SecondWar]

Zkuq said:

SecondWar said:

I get your point if the planes were full and in the air but I read it as the airliners would be empty and on the ground. Certainly if they were targeted at night when airports have little to no civilians around that would likely be permissible.

Also if these were some if the that were western-owned jets that were essentially stolen at the start of the war then they're definitely in more of the grey area as it could be said they're ill-gotten gains or used to evade sanctions.

I don't think it's permissible by any international laws because they're still civilian targets, stolen or not. My stance is that violating those laws is not something to be done lightly. I have some understanding for damaging the economy of an attacker, but I have much less understanding for discomforting the populace in hope of causing a regime change or something. But like I said, I don't think it would be a good move, even if it was legal. There's plenty of examples of the resolve not weakening or even it strengthening when suffering is caused to the populace.

Not necessarily. If they're used to evade sanctions or transport military equipment this dual usage would make them legitimate targets, provided efforts were taken to minimise any collateral civilian casualties.

This is why targeting Russia's civilian oil tankers isn't a war crimes.