Russian soldier jailed for all times in first struggle crimes trial of Ukraine war

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

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

Choose Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of photographs on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read extra

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"Given that the crime dedicated is against the law in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court docket does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass box in the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the decision was read out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

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

The trial, which started only final week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer informed 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 mentioned it has identified more than 10,000 possible struggle crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in war crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin didn't instantly comment on the verdict. It has beforehand 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 four other Russian servicemen stole a automobile to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and talking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors said.

In courtroom final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was responsible and requested the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the International Bar Affiliation, stated the decision was "not shocking" and could be the first part of "a big puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he stated. "For many other war crimes instances in Ukraine I think we'll see comparable sentences because that is the baseline trial."

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

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