Pavel Polityuk

KYIV, Reuters – Ukrainian courts sentenced a Russian soldier in jail to life for the murder of an unarmed Ukrainian civilian during the first trial for war crimes resulting in Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2014.

Vadim Shishimarin (21-year old tank commander) pleaded guilty in killing Oleksandr Shhelipov, 62, at Chupakhivka, northeastern Ukraine on February 28th, after being given orders to do so.

Judge Serhiy AGAFOnov said that Shishimarin was carrying out an “incriminal order” and firing several shots from his automatic weapon at the head of the victim.

Shishimarin, in a grey and blue hooded sweatshirt and sitting silently at the reinforced glass box inside the courtroom, observed proceedings and did not show emotion when the verdict was given.

This trial is symbolically significant for Ukraine. It has charged Russia with atrocities against civilians in the Invasion and claimed it had identified over 10,000 war crimes.

Russia denies targeting civilians and participating in war crimes.

The verdict was not announced by the Kremlin immediately. The Kremlin has stated previously that it does not have any information on the case and that its assistance is limited by the lack of a diplomat mission to Ukraine.