Russian soldier jailed for life in first conflict crimes trial of Ukraine conflict

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first struggle crimes trial arising from Russia's invasion.

Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old tank commander, had pleaded responsible to killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. read more

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "felony order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of photographs on the victim's head from an computerized weapon. read extra

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"On condition that the crime committed is a criminal offense against peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the court docket does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass field in the courtroom and showed no emotion as the verdict was learn out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, said he was not shocked by the sentence because there had been "sure stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a authorized appeal.

The trial, which began only last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer advised Reuters it may very well be the first of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians in the course of the invasion and said it has recognized greater than 10,000 potential war crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in struggle crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special army operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of conflict, stands inside a cage throughout a court docket listening to, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin didn't instantly comment on the verdict. It has previously mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its potential to offer help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated Shishimarin and 4 different Russian servicemen stole a car to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers saw Shelipov riding a bicycle and speaking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

In courtroom last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was to blame and requested the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

The court docket reached its verdict 5 days after holding its first full listening to.

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Association, mentioned the verdict was "not surprising" and could be the primary a part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he said. "For many different battle crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences because this is the baseline trial."

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Extra reporting by Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague, Modifying by Tomasz Janowski and Frank Jack Daniel

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