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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first battle 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. read more

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

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"Given that the crime dedicated is a crime towards peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court does not see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass field within 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 stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure strain from society" and said he would launch a authorized enchantment.

The trial, which started solely final week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer advised Reuters it could be the primary of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians during the invasion and mentioned it has identified more than 10,000 doable struggle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special army operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin didn't 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 capacity to offer help.

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

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

In court docket last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was guilty and asked the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Association, mentioned the decision was "not shocking" and might be the primary 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 stated. "For many other struggle crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see related 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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