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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in 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, four days after the invasion. read more

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

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"Given that the crime dedicated is a crime in opposition to peace, security, humanity and the international legal order ... the court doesn't see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass box 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, said he was not surprised by the sentence because there had been "certain pressure from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started only last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer advised Reuters it could be the primary of many. read more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and stated it has recognized greater than 10,000 possible conflict crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of warfare, stands inside a cage during a courtroom listening to, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not instantly touch upon the verdict. It has beforehand said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capacity to offer assistance.

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

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

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

The court docket reached its verdict 5 days after holding its first full hearing.

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the verdict was "not stunning" and may very well be the first a part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

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

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

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