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

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 battle 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, 4 days after the invasion. read extra

Decide Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "prison order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired several pictures at the victim's head from an automatic weapon. read more

Register

"Given that the crime committed is a crime in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the international legal order ... the courtroom doesn't see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, mentioned he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started only last week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer told Reuters it might be the first of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians during the invasion and said it has identified more than 10,000 attainable conflict crimes. Russia has denied focusing on civilians or involvement in war crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of war, stands inside a cage during a court hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Learn More

The Kremlin did not instantly comment on the verdict. It has previously mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its ability to supply assistance.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and talking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to prevent him reporting on their location, the prosecutors mentioned.

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, stated the decision was "not stunning" and may very well be the first part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very excessive," he said. "For many different war crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see comparable sentences because that is the baseline trial."

Register

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

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.