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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. read more

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

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

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and gray 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, said he was not stunned by the sentence because there had been "sure pressure from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which began solely last week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer instructed Reuters it could possibly be the first of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians through the invasion and stated it has identified more than 10,000 doable war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in battle crimes while 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 conflict, stands inside a cage throughout a courtroom listening to, 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 decision. It has beforehand stated that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to offer assistance.

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

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

In court last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was accountable and asked the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Affiliation, mentioned the verdict was "not surprising" and could be the first a part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many different conflict crimes circumstances in Ukraine I think we'll see comparable sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

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

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