Russian Soldier First War Criminal Tried in Ukraine Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A Russian soldier who faced the first war crimes trial in Ukraine has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The Ukrainian government estimates that there have been over 10,000 war crimes since Russia's invasion, and further war crimes trials for captured Russian soldiers are expected to follow.

According to foreign media including CNN on the 23rd (local time), the Ukrainian court sentenced Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin (21), a member of a Russian tank division, to life imprisonment for shooting and killing a 62-year-old unarmed man in the village of Chupakhivka in Sumy Oblast, northeastern Ukraine, on February 28.

The court stated in its verdict, "Sergeant Shishimarin carried out a 'kill order' from a superior officer and fired several shots at the victim's head with an automatic weapon." Earlier, during the first trial held on the 18th, he testified that while trying to join the main Russian forces with other soldiers, he was driving a stolen Volkswagen and fired three or four close-range shots at the victim as they left the village.

Shishimarin watched the guilty verdict being read inside a reinforced glass box set up in the courtroom and reportedly showed no emotion on his face. He had already admitted to all charges during the first trial. After the first trial, at the second trial held the next day, he also pleaded with the victim’s wife, who appeared in court, to forgive him for his wrongdoing.

Looking at the victim’s wife in court at that time, he said, "I know you cannot forgive me. But I ask you for forgiveness."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian judicial authorities estimate that there have been more than 10,000 war crimes committed since Russia invaded Ukraine. It is expected that those among the Russian prisoners of war involved in civilian massacres and other crimes will be identified and brought to war crimes trials in the future.