Russian soldier jailed for life in first conflict crimes trial of Ukraine conflict

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court 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, four days after the invasion. learn extra

Choose Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, carrying out a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several shots at the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read extra

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"On condition that the crime dedicated is a criminal offense against peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court docket does not see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass field in 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, said he was not shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain strain from society" and said he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which started solely final week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and an international lawyer instructed Reuters it could be the first of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians in the course of the invasion and stated it has identified more than 10,000 doable battle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special 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 court listening to, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Might 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not instantly touch upon the decision. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its ability to supply assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and speaking on his phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to forestall him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

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

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the International Bar Association, mentioned the verdict was "not surprising" and might be the first part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he mentioned. "For most different conflict crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences as a result of this 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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