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 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 in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. learn extra

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several pictures on the victim's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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"Given that the crime committed is a criminal offense in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court doesn't see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered 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 stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure pressure from society" and stated he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started only last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer instructed Reuters it could be the first of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians throughout the invasion and mentioned it has identified more than 10,000 potential struggle crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in war crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of battle, stands inside a cage during a court 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 decision. It has previously said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity to offer help.

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 saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and talking on his telephone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to prevent him reporting on their location, the prosecutors said.

In court final week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was accountable and asked the victim's widow to forgive him.

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

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

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he stated. "For many different war crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences because that 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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