Russian soldier jailed for life in first battle crimes trial of Ukraine struggle

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 warfare 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, four days after the invasion. read more

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "felony order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired several photographs on the victim's head from an computerized weapon. read more

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"Given that the crime committed is a crime towards peace, safety, humanity and the international legal order ... the court docket doesn't see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

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

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

The trial, which started only final week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer instructed Reuters it could possibly be the first of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians through the invasion and stated it has identified greater than 10,000 doable struggle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas 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 conflict, stands inside a cage throughout a court hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not instantly comment on the decision. It has previously mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity to supply assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated Shishimarin and four other Russian servicemen stole a automotive to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

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

In court final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was accountable and requested the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, mentioned the decision was "not surprising" and may very well be the primary part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he said. "For most other conflict crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see comparable sentences as a result of that 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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