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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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 within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. read more

Decide Serhiy Agafonov stated Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several pictures on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. learn more

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"Given that the crime committed is against the law in opposition to peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court docket doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and grey hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a reinforced glass box within 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, mentioned he was not shocked by the sentence because there had been "sure pressure from society" and said he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which began solely last week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer instructed Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. read more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and said it has identified greater than 10,000 possible warfare crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in war crimes while 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 battle, stands inside a cage during a court hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Could 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin didn't instantly comment on the verdict. It has beforehand said that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its potential to provide help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and four different Russian servicemen stole a car to flee 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 mentioned.

In courtroom 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, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, stated the verdict was "not shocking" and could be the first part of "a big puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very excessive," he stated. "For many other warfare crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences because 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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