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

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 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn more

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

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"Provided that the crime committed is against the law against peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened 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, mentioned he was not shocked by the sentence because there had been "sure stress from society" and said he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which began solely last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer informed Reuters it may very well be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians during the invasion and stated it has recognized greater than 10,000 potential conflict crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in battle crimes while 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 battle, stands inside a cage throughout a court docket 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 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 ability to supply help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors mentioned Shishimarin and 4 different Russian servicemen stole a automotive to escape after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers noticed Shelipov riding a bicycle and talking on his telephone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

In courtroom final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was responsible and requested the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the International Bar Affiliation, said the decision was "not stunning" and could possibly be the first part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he stated. "For many different battle crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see similar sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

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

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