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

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 battle 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, 4 days after the invasion. learn extra

Judge Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, carrying out a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of photographs on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read extra

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"On condition that the crime dedicated is against the law towards peace, safety, humanity and the international legal order ... the court does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass field within 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, stated he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain stress from society" and said he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started only final week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer advised Reuters it could be the first of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and stated it has recognized more than 10,000 attainable war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special army operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of conflict, stands inside a cage throughout a court docket 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 touch upon the decision. It has beforehand said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to provide assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and 4 other Russian servicemen stole a car to escape after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

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

In court docket last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was in charge and requested the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

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

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he stated. "For most other conflict crimes cases in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences because this is the baseline trial."

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

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