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

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 conflict 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 extra

Decide Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired a number of photographs on the sufferer's head from an computerized weapon. read extra

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"On condition that the crime dedicated is a crime against peace, safety, humanity and the worldwide legal order ... the courtroom doesn't see the potential of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he mentioned.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a strengthened glass box in the courtroom and confirmed 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 shocked by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure stress from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal appeal.

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

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians during the invasion and stated it has identified more than 10,000 attainable conflict crimes. Russia has denied concentrating on civilians or involvement in war crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of conflict, stands inside a cage during 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 touch upon the verdict. It has beforehand mentioned that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its capability to provide help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors said Shishimarin and four other Russian servicemen stole a automobile to flee after their column was focused by Ukrainian forces.

After driving into Chupakhivka, the soldiers noticed Shelipov riding a bicycle and talking on his phone. Shishimarin was ordered to kill Shelipov to stop him reporting on their location, the prosecutors stated.

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

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

Mark Ellis, government director of the International Bar Association, mentioned the verdict was "not surprising" and could be the primary a part of "a large puzzle additionally involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

"If that is the baseline trial ... it units the bar very excessive," he mentioned. "For many different struggle crimes instances in Ukraine I suspect we'll see comparable sentences because that 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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