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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court 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 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 said Shishimarin, finishing up a "felony order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several shots at the victim's head from an computerized weapon. learn extra

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

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

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, mentioned he was not surprised by the sentence because there had been "sure strain from society" and stated he would launch a authorized enchantment.

The trial, which began only last week, has enormous symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer advised Reuters it could be the first of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians in the course of the invasion and said it has recognized greater than 10,000 attainable warfare crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of battle, stands inside a cage during a court listening to, 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 mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its potential to offer help.

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

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers noticed Shelipov using a bicycle and talking 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 requested the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association, mentioned the verdict was "not shocking" 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 stated. "For most different struggle crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

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

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