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

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 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. learn more

Choose Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of photographs on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read more

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"Provided that the crime committed is a crime in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the court docket does not see the potential for imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass box in 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, said he was not shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain pressure from society" and stated he would launch a legal enchantment.

The trial, which started solely last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer informed Reuters it could possibly be the first of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians during the invasion and stated it has recognized more than 10,000 doable war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

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

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The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the decision. It has beforehand said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its potential to offer assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated Shishimarin and four different Russian servicemen stole a automobile to escape after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

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

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the verdict was "not shocking" and might be the primary a part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very high," he mentioned. "For many different battle crimes cases in Ukraine I believe we'll see similar sentences because that 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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