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

KYIV, May 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 extra

Decide Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of shots on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. learn extra

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"Provided that the crime committed is a criminal offense towards peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, stated he was not shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure strain from society" and said he would launch a authorized enchantment.

The trial, which began solely last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer advised Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians throughout the invasion and said it has identified more than 10,000 potential conflict crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in struggle crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special navy operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin did not immediately touch upon the decision. It has beforehand stated that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its means to supply help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and four different Russian servicemen stole a automobile to flee after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

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

In courtroom final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was guilty and asked 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 Worldwide Bar Association, stated the decision was "not surprising" and might be the primary part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he stated. "For most other conflict crimes cases in Ukraine I believe 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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