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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within 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, 4 days after the invasion. read more

Decide Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, carrying out a "felony order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of pictures at the victim's head from an automatic weapon. learn more

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"Provided that the crime dedicated is a criminal offense in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the courtroom doesn't see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass box within 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 surprised by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal appeal.

The trial, which started only last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer advised Reuters it might be the first of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians during the invasion and mentioned it has recognized more than 10,000 attainable conflict crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "particular army operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws 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 instantly touch upon the verdict. It has previously mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its potential to offer help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors mentioned Shishimarin and four 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 talking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors mentioned.

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

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

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

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he said. "For most other battle crimes cases in Ukraine I suspect 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, Modifying by Tomasz Janowski and Frank Jack Daniel

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