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

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

Decide Serhiy Agafonov mentioned Shishimarin, carrying out a "legal order" by a soldier of higher rank, had fired several shots on the sufferer's head from an automatic weapon. read more

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"Provided that the crime committed is a crime against peace, security, humanity and the international authorized order ... the courtroom doesn't see the opportunity of imposing a (shorter) sentence," he said.

Shishimarin, wearing a blue and gray hooded sweatshirt, watched proceedings silently from a bolstered glass box in the courtroom and confirmed no emotion as the verdict was learn out. He stood with head bowed, listening to a translator.

Shishmarin's lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, mentioned he was not stunned by the sentence as a result of there had been "sure strain from society" and mentioned he would launch a legal appeal.

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

Kyiv has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians through the invasion and stated it has recognized greater than 10,000 potential warfare crimes. Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in conflict crimes whereas it carries out what it calls a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine.

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin, 21, suspected of violations of the laws and norms of conflict, stands inside a cage throughout a court docket 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 ability to supply assistance.

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

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

In courtroom 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 Worldwide Bar Association, said the decision was "not surprising" and may very well be the first part of "a big puzzle also involving Ukrainian troopers 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 suspect 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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