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

KYIV, Could 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court docket sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first conflict 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 within the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn more

Judge Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "felony order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of photographs on the victim's head from an automatic weapon. learn extra

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"Given that the crime dedicated is against the law towards peace, safety, humanity and the international authorized order ... the courtroom does not see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

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 decision was read 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 "sure stress from society" and stated he would launch a authorized enchantment.

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

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and said it has identified greater than 10,000 possible battle crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while it carries out what it calls a "particular army operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of struggle, stands inside a cage during a court docket 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 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 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 phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors said.

In courtroom last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was in charge and asked the sufferer's widow to forgive him.

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the Worldwide Bar Association, stated the decision was "not stunning" and could be the first part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very excessive," he stated. "For most other warfare crimes circumstances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see similar sentences because that 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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