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

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison on Monday for killing an unarmed civilian in the first warfare 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. read extra

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

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"Given that the crime committed is a criminal offense against peace, security, humanity and the worldwide authorized order ... the court does not see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray 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, said he was not surprised by the sentence because there had been "certain stress from society" and said he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which started only last week, has large symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer instructed Reuters it might be the first of many. read extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians throughout the invasion and mentioned it has identified more than 10,000 potential war crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on 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 legal guidelines and norms of warfare, stands inside a cage during a courtroom hearing, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not instantly touch upon the verdict. It has previously mentioned that it has no details about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its ability to offer help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and 4 different Russian servicemen stole a automotive to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and talking on his cellphone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to prevent him reporting on their location, the prosecutors mentioned.

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

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

Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association, stated the verdict was "not stunning" and could possibly be the first part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian soldiers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he stated. "For many different conflict crimes instances in Ukraine I think we'll see similar sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

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

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