Topline
A Russian soldier pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing an unarmed civilian during Ukraine’s first war crimes trial since Russia invaded the country in February, in what could be the first of many trials as Ukrainian authorities investigate claims that thousands of war crimes have been committed during the war.
Russian army Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin, 21, is seen behind glass during a court hearing in Kyiv, … [+] Ukraine, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Key Facts
Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin, 21, appeared at a court in Kyiv, where he was accused of killing a 62-year-old Ukrainian man in the Sumy region four days into the invasion.
When asked if Shishimarin was guilty of the allegations, which include war crimes and premeditated murder, he said “Yes, fully yes,” multiple news outlets report.
Shishimarin was charged with violating the laws and customs of war, and faces up to life in prison for shooting the man in the head with a rifle from an open window of a car.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said Shishimarin was ordered to kill the civilian on February 28 because he was talking on his phone, and Russian soldiers did not want him to be able to report them to Ukrainian military authorities.
The man, who was pushing a bicycle on the side of a road, died on the scene, Venediktova said.
Chief Critic
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the allegations against Russian soldiers “simply fake or staged.” “We still have no information,” Peskov told reporters. “And the ability to provide assistance due to the lack of our diplomatic mission there is also very limited.”
What To Watch For
Venediktova told the Wall Street Journal earlier this month her office had already identified about 40 Russian soldiers suspected of war crimes. Venediktova added that some of the soldiers, accused of offenses that including bombing civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, rape and looting, have already been arrested. Ukraine is investigating allegations of thousands of war crimes since Russia invaded on February 24, and the International Criminal Court has also opened its own investigation, meaning additional trials could be forthcoming.
Big Number
10,700. That’s how many potential war crimes Venediktova’s office has said it is looking into. There are more than 600 suspects, including Russian soldiers and government officials, the Associated Press reports.
Further Reading
Ukraine Begins First War Crimes Trial For Russian Soldier Accused Of Killing Unarmed Civilian (Forbes)
‘Compelling Evidence’ Of Russian War Crimes—Including Deliberate Killing Of Civilians—In Ukraine, Amnesty International Says (Forbes)
