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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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 responsible to killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. read extra

Judge Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, carrying out a "felony order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of shots at the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. learn extra

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"Provided that the crime committed is a criminal offense against peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court does not see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass field within 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, stated he was not stunned by the sentence because there had been "certain pressure from society" and said he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which began only final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer informed Reuters it could possibly be the first of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians during the invasion and stated it has recognized more than 10,000 doable struggle crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in war crimes whereas 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 warfare, stands inside a cage during a court docket listening to, 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 verdict. It has beforehand said that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capability to provide help.

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

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, stated the verdict was "not stunning" and could possibly be the first a part of "a big puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many different struggle crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see comparable sentences because that is the baseline trial."

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

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