Russian soldier jailed for all times in first battle 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 struggle 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. learn more

Choose Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "felony order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of photographs at the sufferer's head from an automatic 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 courtroom doesn't see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, sporting 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 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 "sure pressure from society" and stated he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started only final week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer told Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians in the course of the invasion and mentioned it has recognized more than 10,000 possible struggle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas 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 struggle, 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 didn't immediately touch upon the verdict. It has beforehand said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity 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 troopers noticed Shelipov using a bicycle and speaking on his telephone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

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

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the decision was "not surprising" and might be the first 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 stated. "For many different battle crimes circumstances 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, Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Frank Jack Daniel

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