Russian soldier jailed for life in first war crimes trial of Ukraine battle

KYIV, May 23 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian courtroom sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison 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 responsible to killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, 4 days after the invasion. learn extra

Decide Serhiy Agafonov said Shishimarin, finishing up a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several shots at the sufferer's head from an automated weapon. learn more

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"Provided that the crime committed is against the law against peace, security, humanity and the international authorized order ... the court does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he stated.

Shishimarin, carrying a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass field 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, said he was not surprised by the sentence as a result of there had been "certain strain from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal attraction.

The trial, which began solely final week, has big symbolic significance for Ukraine and a global lawyer instructed Reuters it might be the first of many. learn more

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians throughout the invasion and mentioned it has recognized more than 10,000 potential war crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in warfare crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular military operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the legal guidelines and norms of struggle, stands inside a cage during a courtroom listening to, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Might 23, 2022. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

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The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the verdict. It has previously said that it has no information about the trial and that the absence of a diplomatic mission in Ukraine limits its skill to supply help.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated Shishimarin and 4 other Russian servicemen stole a car to escape after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

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

In courtroom last week, Shishimarin acknowledged he was accountable and requested the victim'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 Worldwide Bar Association, stated the verdict was "not surprising" and could be the first a part of "a large puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers being held in Russia."

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

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

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