Illustration (Photo: Shatterstock)
Vadim Shishimrin, the Russian soldier who pleaded guilty to committing war crimes in Ukraine, was sentenced today (Monday) to life in prison by a court in Kiev. This is the first Russian soldier accused of war crimes since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February.
Shishimrin, 21, is accused of killing a 62-year-old unarmed civilian in the Sumy region of Ukraine, according to the Attorney General’s Office. The prosecution alleges that he was driving a stolen vehicle with other soldiers when they met the civilian riding a bicycle. Shishmarin was instructed to shoot a civilian in order to prevent him from informing others of the location of the forces.
Shimiran said he was “completely guilty” when asked if he pleaded guilty. The soldier appeared in a glass cell in front of a court full to capacity and with dozens of cameras capturing what was happening. The victim’s family is also in court. For the time being he maintains the right of silence.
It should be emphasized that Russia continues to claim that it has not committed any war crimes, even though much evidence of this, including those filmed, has appeared in the news and across social networks. Russia refuses to comment directly on Shishmarin’s statement.
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