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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first struggle 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn more

Judge Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper 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 dedicated is a criminal offense towards peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the courtroom doesn't see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass field 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 stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a authorized appeal.

The trial, which started only final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer advised Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and said it has identified greater than 10,000 possible war crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in war crimes while it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of war, stands inside a cage during 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 instantly touch upon the verdict. It has previously stated that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to supply help.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers noticed Shelipov riding 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 docket last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was to blame and asked the victim's widow to forgive him.

The court docket reached its verdict five days after holding its first full hearing.

Mark Ellis, govt director of the International Bar Affiliation, stated the decision was "not surprising" and could possibly be the primary a 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 mentioned. "For many other warfare crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar 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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