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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian within the first struggle 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 mentioned 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. learn more

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"Provided that the crime committed is against the law against peace, security, humanity and the international authorized order ... the courtroom does not see the possibility 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 confirmed no emotion as the verdict was learn out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, said he was not surprised 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 solely last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer informed Reuters it could be the primary of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians throughout the invasion and stated it has identified greater than 10,000 attainable war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in battle crimes whereas 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 conflict, stands inside a cage throughout a court hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Might 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin didn't instantly touch upon 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 potential to supply help.

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

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Association, stated the verdict was "not surprising" and could be the first part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he said. "For most different conflict crimes cases in Ukraine I think we'll see related sentences as a result of 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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