In the first judgement of its sort since Russia’s invasion three months ago, a Ukrainian court found a young Russian soldier guilty of war crimes and sentenced him to life in prison for killing a civilian.
At the World Economic Forum, President Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged political and business leaders to halt all trade with Russia and continue to supply his country with weaponry.
Russian strikes are wreaking havoc in eastern Ukraine, but all eyes were on Kyiv on Monday as the landmark trial against Russian serviceman Vadim Shishimarin began.
In court, the Siberian sergeant admitted to killing Oleksandr Shelipov, a 62-year-old civilian, in the village of Chupakhivka in northeast Ukraine.
On February 28, the fourth day of Moscow’s invasion, he said he shot Shelipov under duress from another soldier as they attempted to flee in a stolen car back into Russia.
Shishimarin apologized and pleaded for forgiveness from Shelipov’s widow, stating, “I was nervous about what was going on.” I had no desire to kill.”
Prosecutors, on the other hand, alleged he fired three to four shots with the objective of killing the person.
“The court finds Shishimarin guilty of war crimes and sentences him to life in jail,” said Judge Sergiy Agafonov, as the Russian watched from the glass defense box.
BTL Blogger: Augustine Emmanuel
