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

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

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "prison order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of shots on the sufferer's head from an computerized weapon. learn more

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"On condition that the crime dedicated is a criminal offense against peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the court does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, wearing 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, stated he was not surprised by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain strain from society" and said he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which began only final week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer told Reuters it could be the primary of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians through the invasion and stated it has identified greater than 10,000 potential warfare crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while 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 conflict, stands inside a cage throughout 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 instantly comment on the verdict. It has beforehand stated that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its ability to supply help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and 4 different Russian servicemen stole a automobile to escape after their column was focused 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 prevent him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

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

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, stated the decision was "not stunning" and may very well be the first a part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he said. "For most different war crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences because this 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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