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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first struggle 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 within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. read more

Judge Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, carrying out a "prison order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of shots on the victim's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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"On condition that the crime committed is a crime in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the court docket doesn't see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, said he was not surprised by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which started solely final week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer told Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians through the invasion and said it has identified greater than 10,000 potential warfare crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in battle crimes while it carries out what it calls a "particular army operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of war, stands inside a cage throughout a courtroom listening to, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Might 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not immediately touch upon the decision. It has previously said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its ability to provide assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors mentioned Shishimarin and 4 different Russian servicemen stole a automotive to flee after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the International Bar Association, said the decision was "not shocking" and might be the primary part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many different struggle crimes instances in Ukraine I think we'll see comparable sentences because this 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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