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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom 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 guilty 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 said Shishimarin, finishing up a "felony 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 in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the international legal order ... the court does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass field in 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, said he was not shocked by the sentence because there had been "sure strain from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which began only final week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer told Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians throughout the invasion and stated it has recognized greater than 10,000 attainable war crimes. Russia has denied targeting 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 courtroom hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not immediately comment on 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 ability to offer assistance.

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

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

In court last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was to blame and asked the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Association, stated the verdict was "not shocking" and could possibly be the first a part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he mentioned. "For most different warfare crimes instances in Ukraine I think we'll see related sentences because that is the baseline trial."

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

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