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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first warfare 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. learn more

Judge Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of pictures at the sufferer's head from an automated weapon. read extra

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"Provided that the crime dedicated is against the law against peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court docket does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass field within the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the verdict was read out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

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

The trial, which started solely final week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer informed Reuters it may very well be the first of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and said it has recognized greater than 10,000 attainable struggle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of battle, stands inside a cage during a court docket hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin didn't immediately touch upon the verdict. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no details 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 automotive to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

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

In court last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was responsible and requested the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Association, said the verdict was "not stunning" and might be the first a 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 mentioned. "For many other battle crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

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

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