By Vitalii Hnidyi

CHUPAKHIVKA (Ukraine) – A widow of an unarmed Ukrainian soldier killed in Ukraine last week by a Russian soldier was sentenced to life in prison for war crimes. She recounts finding her husband’s corpse, a bullet wound in his head.

Kateryna Shlipova stated that Vadim Shishimarin was carrying a gun shortly before her husband Oleksandr (62 years old) was found dead on the road next to their Chupakhivka home.

After hearing distant shots, she had come to her senses and was now free.

He didn’t appear to be there when I got out of the yard. She said that he was lying in the middle of two plum trees, just off the road, when she went out further.

“(He had been shot in the head. She added that his bicycle was placed over his legs.

Shishimarin was a 21 year-old tank commander who pleaded guilty for the murder of Shelipov. He asked his widow forgiveness.

The trial of Shishimarin is just one in a long list of cases. Ukraine accuses Russia of war crimes and atrocities against civilians. Russia denies targeting civilians and participating in war crimes.

Shelipova stated that her husband was not armed and dressed in civilian attire. They were married 36 years. She showed Reuters a photograph of their wedding day.

Ukrainian state prosecutors stated that Shishimarin opened fire on Shelipov’s head with an assault weapon after being told to.

I still cannot believe that he isn’t with us. I still think that he’s here, that he’ll come here and say ‘hello’,” said Mykola Radkov, a friend of Shelipov.