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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in 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, four days after the invasion. learn extra

Judge Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "criminal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several pictures on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. learn extra

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"Provided that the crime committed is a crime in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court does not see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, stated he was not shocked by the sentence because there had been "certain stress from society" and said he would launch a authorized enchantment.

The trial, which began only final week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer instructed Reuters it could be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians in the course of the invasion and stated it has identified greater than 10,000 doable war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in struggle crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special navy 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 hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Might 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not instantly comment on the verdict. It has beforehand said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity to offer assistance.

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

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association, stated the decision was "not shocking" and might be the primary a 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 said. "For many different war crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences as a result of this is the baseline trial."

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

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