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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first conflict 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. read more

Decide Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of pictures on the sufferer's head from an automated weapon. read extra

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"On condition that the crime dedicated is against the law towards peace, security, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass field within the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the decision was learn out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, stated he was not stunned by the sentence because there had been "certain pressure from society" and stated he would launch a legal appeal.

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

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians throughout the invasion and mentioned it has recognized greater than 10,000 attainable war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "particular army 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 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 decision. It has previously said that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capability to offer help.

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

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the verdict was "not shocking" and could be the first a part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he stated. "For many other war crimes cases in Ukraine I believe 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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