Russian soldier jailed for life in first battle crimes trial of Ukraine struggle

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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 within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. read more

Decide Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of pictures at the victim's head from an computerized weapon. learn more

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"Provided that the crime committed is against the law towards peace, security, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court doesn't see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass box 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, said he was not stunned by the sentence because there had been "certain strain from society" and said he would launch a authorized appeal.

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

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

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

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The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the verdict. It has previously mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its potential to offer assistance.

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

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the International Bar Affiliation, stated the decision was "not stunning" and could possibly be the primary a part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many other war crimes circumstances in Ukraine I think we'll see related sentences because that is the baseline trial."

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

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