Landmark ruling has symbolic significance for Ukraine, which has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians during the war.
A court in Kyiv has sentenced a 21-year-old Russian soldier to life in prison for killing an unarmed Ukrainian civilian, in the first war crimes trial held since Russia’s invasion.
Vadim Shishimarin was accused of shooting 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov, a Ukrainian civilian, in the head in a village in the northeastern Sumy region in the early days of the war.
“The court has found that Shishimarin is guilty and sentences him to life imprisonment”, judge Sergiy Agafonov said on Monday, in the war-torn country’s capital.
“The murder was committed with direct intent”.
The Russian soldier, who pleaded guilty, told the court last week that he shot Shelipov under pressure from another soldier as they tried to retreat and escape back to Russia in a stolen car on February 28, the fourth day of Moscow’s invasion.
In his closing remarks, he apologised and asked Shelipov’s widow for forgiveness.
“I regret it. I regret it very much. I did not refuse and I am ready to accept any measures imposed”, he said....
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