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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first war 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 extra

Judge Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper 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 against the law towards peace, security, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court docket 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 bolstered glass box within the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the decision was read out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, said he was not shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure pressure from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal appeal.

The trial, which started only last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer instructed Reuters it may very well be the first of many. read more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians through the invasion and mentioned it has recognized greater than 10,000 potential war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular military operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of struggle, 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 didn't immediately comment on 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 skill to supply help.

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 noticed Shelipov riding a bicycle and talking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

In court docket last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was to blame and asked the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the International Bar Affiliation, said the verdict was "not shocking" and could be the first part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he said. "For many other war crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see related sentences because 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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