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

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

Judge Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "legal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired several photographs on the victim's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, mentioned he was not stunned by the sentence because there had been "certain strain from society" and stated he would launch a authorized attraction.

The trial, which started only last week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer advised Reuters it could be the primary of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians throughout the invasion and mentioned it has recognized greater than 10,000 doable conflict crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin didn't immediately comment on the decision. It has previously mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to supply assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and speaking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop 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 hearing.

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Association, stated the verdict was "not surprising" 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 most different warfare crimes instances in Ukraine I think we'll see comparable sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

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

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