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

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 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. learn more

Judge Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, finishing up a "criminal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of photographs at the sufferer's head from an computerized weapon. read extra

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"Provided that the crime committed is a criminal offense in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the courtroom does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

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

The trial, which began solely final week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer advised Reuters it might be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians in the course of the invasion and said it has identified greater than 10,000 potential warfare crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in struggle crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of battle, stands inside a cage throughout a courtroom listening to, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the verdict. It has previously said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its means to supply assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors mentioned Shishimarin and 4 other Russian servicemen stole a car to flee after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers saw Shelipov riding 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 responsible and requested the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, mentioned the decision was "not shocking" and could possibly be the first part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he mentioned. "For most other struggle crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences because this is the baseline trial."

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

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