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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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, 4 days after the invasion. read more

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

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"Given that the crime dedicated is against the law against peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the courtroom doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass box in 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, stated he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain pressure from society" and stated he would launch a authorized appeal.

The trial, which started solely last week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer informed Reuters it could be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality in opposition to civilians throughout the invasion and said it has identified more than 10,000 attainable conflict crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in conflict crimes while it carries out what it calls a "special army 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 docket hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not immediately comment on 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 means to supply assistance.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and 4 other Russian servicemen stole a automotive to escape after their column was targeted 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 mentioned.

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

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

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

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

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

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