A Ukrainian court has sentenced Russian Sergeant Vadim Sysyarin to life in prison for killing an unarmed citizen. This is the first trial of a Russian soldier accused of war crimes in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, 21-year-old Vadim Shishimir confessed to shooting at 62-year-old Oleksandr Shilipov, a resident of the village of Subakivka in the Sumi region of northern Ukraine. – I’m really sorry. I was nervous then, I did not want to kill (…) This is how it happened – testified Sissier quoted by Sky News.
On February 28, a soldier was convicted of firing several bullets into the head of an unarmed Shelibo who was riding a bicycle on the side of the road. Fearing that the public would inform the Ukrainian forces of the presence of Russian troops, Shishar sought to obtain such an order from his superior.
Vadim Cissier before the Kiev courtPAP / EPA / OLEG PETRASYUK
Defender of szyszyarin He argued in court that the soldier twice refused to obey the order and fired only when the superior gave the order a third time. The defense also claims that only one of the three or four shots hit the Ukrainian in the head.
However, according to the lawyer, these arguments do not change the heart of the matter. The prosecutor’s office demanded the highest sentence by law – life imprisonment.
Russian crimes in Ukraine
As of April 16, 11,674 potential Russian war crimes had been registered, according to official figures from the Ukrainian Interior Ministry. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly insisted that all reports of war crimes be carefully investigated and that the perpetrators be prosecuted and prosecuted.
Main photo source: PAP / EPA / OLEG PETRASYUK