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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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 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 mentioned Shishimarin, finishing up a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired several pictures at the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read extra

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"Provided that the crime dedicated is a criminal offense against peace, security, humanity and the international legal order ... the court does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, mentioned he was not shocked by the sentence because there had been "certain strain from society" and stated he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started solely final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer instructed Reuters it might be the first of many. read more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians in the course of the invasion and stated it has recognized more than 10,000 doable battle crimes. Russia has denied targeting 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 warfare, 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 touch upon 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 capacity to provide assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers saw Shelipov riding a bicycle and speaking on his telephone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to prevent him reporting on their location, the prosecutors said.

In court docket last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was to blame 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, stated the decision was "not stunning" and might be the first part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very excessive," he mentioned. "For many different warfare crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences because this is the baseline trial."

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

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