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

KYIV, Might 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in jail 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 guilty to killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after the invasion. learn extra

Choose Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, carrying out a "criminal order" by a soldier of upper rank, had fired a number of pictures on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. learn extra

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

Shishimarin, sporting a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass box within the courtroom and confirmed 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 stunned by the sentence because there had been "sure stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a authorized attraction.

The trial, which started solely last week, has huge symbolic significance for Ukraine and a world lawyer advised Reuters it could possibly be the primary of many. learn extra

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality towards civilians through the invasion and said it has recognized more than 10,000 doable war crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in warfare crimes while 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 war, stands inside a cage throughout 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 didn't immediately comment on the decision. It has previously stated that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its means to supply help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors mentioned Shishimarin and four different Russian servicemen stole a automobile to escape after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the troopers saw Shelipov driving a bicycle and speaking on his telephone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors mentioned.

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

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

Mark Ellis, govt director of the Worldwide Bar Affiliation, said the decision was "not surprising" and could be the first part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If this is the baseline trial ... it sets the bar very high," he mentioned. "For most other warfare crimes cases in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences as a result of that is the baseline trial."

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

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