What we see in Ukraine is the Russian way of war and has been so for centuries. They just murder civilians by the thousands and expect their opponent to surrender to stop the carnage. Nothing complicated here and no DOD lawyers required.
The point is that after WW II war was outlawed and gentlemen decided to stop warring.
The question becomes “how can enemies legally war” Hence the proliferation of military lawyers controlling every action.
Actually, you are incorrect. Until 1945 or so, Russia fought with large armies in the field on battlefields away from cities. The war was decided by armies in the field. WW II changed all that. War was fought everywhere and especially in the cities.
The same was true in America until General Sherman introduced destroying all in his path.
Putin has returned to WW II tactics eschewed and outlawed by the world powers. The world is being taught that war is war and is for winning. Putin is providing Iran a license to destroy Tel Aviv. Putin is providing justification to Saudi Arabia to exterminate Houthi’s where ever they exist.
We will see how it turns out.
So the Ukrainians aren’t fighting back with the $800 million dollar’s worth of weapons and equipment that we gave them? Your post makes it sound like Ukraine is defenseless and not shooting back, destroying property, and killing & maiming soldiers and civilians. Did I misunderstand what you wrote?