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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first conflict 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. learn more

Judge Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "prison order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several shots on the victim's head from an computerized weapon. read more

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"Given that the crime dedicated is a crime towards peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court does not see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

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

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

The trial, which began solely last week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer told Reuters it might be the primary of many. read more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians throughout the invasion and stated it has recognized greater than 10,000 possible warfare crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in struggle crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular army operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin did not instantly comment on the verdict. It has previously said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to provide help.

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

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

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

The courtroom reached its verdict 5 days after holding its first full hearing.

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

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very excessive," he stated. "For many other struggle crimes circumstances in Ukraine I think we'll see comparable sentences as a result of 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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