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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first warfare 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 within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn more

Decide Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "felony order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several photographs at the sufferer's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass field in the courtroom and showed 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 surprised by the sentence because there had been "sure stress from society" and stated he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which started only final week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer informed Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and said it has recognized more than 10,000 attainable battle crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in struggle crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular military 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 hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin didn't instantly 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 ability to provide assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers noticed Shelipov using a bicycle and talking on his phone. 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 in charge and asked the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

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

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he said. "For most different conflict crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see similar sentences because that is the baseline trial."

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

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