A 21-year-old Russian soldier was sentenced Monday to life imprisonment in Ukraine’s first war crimes trial. As a prisoner of war, Vadim S. confessed to killing a 62-year-old civilian on February 28 in the village of Chupakhivka in the Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine. The suspect, who is from Siberia, now has 30 days to appeal.
After the man’s confession, the Kiev court found it proven that the tanker had shot the civilian after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The verdict is not yet final. This was the first case to go to trial after the worldwide outcry over Russian atrocities in Ukraine.
Man shot dead on bicycle
In late February, Alexander Shelipov was cycling when Vadim S. shot him with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, evidence shows. Katerina Shelipova found her husband dead on the street – with a shot to the head, as she said in court. “He was everything to me. He was my protector.” All this happened a few meters from her house and she saw the suspect’s car herself.
Soldier: “I’m sorry”
The soldier expressed remorse in his closing remarks last week: “I am sorry. I am very sorry. I have not refused and am prepared to accept all measures imposed.” His lawyer Viktor Ovsiannikov demanded acquittal. “He carried out an order, even if it was a criminal order,” said the lawyer, but the Public Prosecution Service does not accept that.
Vadim S., from Siberia’s Irkutsk region, said he and his tank column came under fire after Russia invaded Ukraine. Then they stole a car to escape. And the older man was a witness. After initially refusing, he fired a short salvo. Another Russian soldier, now deceased, confirmed the version in court.
Soldier went into captivity
Later, Wadim S. himself went into captivity because he wanted to live and “didn’t want to fight”. “I don’t deny my guilt.” The victim’s widow demands life in prison for the soldier. “But if he is replaced by one of our Mariupol defenders, then I am not against it,” she said.
War crimes in Bucha caused global horror
Russian troops have since withdrawn from the northeastern areas of Kiev, Chernihiv and Sumy. After their departure, reports of atrocities sparked worldwide outrage. More than 400 dead have been found in the Kiev suburb of Bucha alone. Journalist Volodymyr Solkin, who met Vadim S. and has already conducted many interviews with prisoners and mothers of dead Russian soldiers, was shocked that hardly anyone knew what Russia was doing in Ukraine.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
