popular articles

TotalEnergies Subject to Complaint for Complicity in War Crimes in Ukraine

A complaint for complicity in war crimes has been filed in Paris against TotalEnergies, accused of having exploited a field in Russia.

Please share:

A complaint for complicity in war crimes has been filed in Paris against TotalEnergies, accused of having continued to exploit a deposit in Russia and allowing the manufacture of fuel used by Russian aircraft engaged in the conflict in Ukraine, which the group disputes.

This complaint was filed Thursday with the national anti-terrorist prosecutor, competent for war crimes, by the Bordeaux-based association Darwin Climax Coalition, which says it works for the protection of human rights and the defense of populations affected by industrial predation, and the Ukrainian association Razom we stand, which calls for the imposition of an embargo on fossil fuel imports from Russia.

Contacted by AFP, the French energy giant denounced “outrageous”, “defamatory” and “unfounded” accusations.

The complaint, of which AFP has been informed, recalls that TotalEnergies held until September 49% of the joint venture Terneftegaz, which operates the Termokarstovoye field in Russia’s Far North.

The remaining 51% was held by the Russian group Novatek, the number two in Russian gas, in which TotalEnergies also has a 19.4% stake.

However, according to an article in Le Monde published on August 24, which was based on several documents and an investigation by the NGO Global Witness, the Termokarstovoye gas field supplied gas condensate to a refinery near Omsk in Siberia, which turned it into fuel, which was then shipped to fuel Russian aircraft engaged in the conflict in Ukraine until at least last July

After the publication of the article in Le Monde, the French energy giant, already criticized for its maintenance in Russia, had assured that it did “not produce kerosene for the Russian army”. Two days later, it had indicated that it had agreed on July 18 to sell its 49% stake in Terneftegaz to Novatek. This sale was finalized in September.

– Air strikes –

According to the plaintiffs, “by continuing to exploit the Termokarstovoye field” after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, TotalEnergies “contributed to providing the Russian government with the means necessary to commit war crimes” in that country, where the Russian army launched air strikes against civilians.

“The fuel, which is essential for military air operations, was therefore indirectly used by Russia to perpetrate the bombings against the civilian population, which led to the death of at least 5,587 people and injured 7,890″, the plaintiffs believe.

The latter also believe that TotalEnergies could not ignore the strong links of influence between Novatek and the Russian regime: the oligarch Guennadi Timtchenko, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, had to leave the group’s board of directors in March because he was targeted by European sanctions.

Leonid Mikhelson, CEO of Novatek, has been targeted by British sanctions.

“TotalEnergies categorically refutes all of the unfounded allegations made by Global Witness, published by the newspaper Le Monde last August,” the group said on Friday, claiming that the unstable condensates produced by Terneftegaz had been “exported abroad” and therefore could not have been used by the Russian army as fuel for its aircraft.

To be an “accomplice to war crimes” is to provide direct assistance to a state or criminal organization that has committed crimes,” TotalEnergies said. “These accusations are an insult to the integrity of our teams.”

The complaint underlines “the legal evolution of the notion of complicity, which means that large private (and public) actors can be prosecuted (…) even if there is no proof that they share the main perpetrator’s intention”, in this case the Russian army.

“Justice can no longer be blind to the indirect but essential contribution of multinationals to the war effort or to the considerable profits that multinationals continue to make after the invasion of Ukraine,” the associations’ lawyers, William Bourdon, Vincent Brengarth and Henri Thulliez, commented to AFP.

“France cannot both condemn the invasion and remain inactive in the face of the behaviors that sustain it,” they added.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The European Court of Auditors warns of the urgency of massive investments in the Union’s ageing power grids, hampered by administrative delays and inadequate planning.
Several lawmakers and former energy executives are demanding a moratorium on PPE3, criticising a plan they view as disconnected from current economic and geopolitical realities.
Several lawmakers and former energy executives are demanding a moratorium on PPE3, criticising a plan they view as disconnected from current economic and geopolitical realities.
The head of Framatome will be heard on 30 April by both chambers to validate his nomination to lead EDF, following the non-renewal of Luc Rémont by the executive.
The head of Framatome will be heard on 30 April by both chambers to validate his nomination to lead EDF, following the non-renewal of Luc Rémont by the executive.
Following a series of major electricity outages on the island of Upolu, the Samoan government has declared a state of emergency to prioritise essential services and mobilise foreign aid.
Following a series of major electricity outages on the island of Upolu, the Samoan government has declared a state of emergency to prioritise essential services and mobilise foreign aid.
The Minister of Industry and Energy expressed openness to a debate and a vote on the 2025–2035 energy strategy, amid criticism from opposition parties over the lack of democratic consultation.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
UK greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3.6% in 2024, marking a slowdown in the pace of reduction. The end of coal usage in electricity production and the rise in electric vehicles contributed to this trend.
UK greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3.6% in 2024, marking a slowdown in the pace of reduction. The end of coal usage in electricity production and the rise in electric vehicles contributed to this trend.

Advertising