A 21-year-old Russian soldier was sentenced to life imprisonment in Ukraine’s first war crimes trial. The Kiev court on Monday, after the man confessed, found that the tanker had shot at a 62-year-old civilian after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 28. This was the first case to go to court following global outrage over Russian atrocities in Ukraine.
The accused now has 30 days to appeal. The judgment is not yet final. Prosecutors asked for life in prison. The defense pleaded for acquittal because the soldier had complied with an order. It is the first war crimes case to go to court in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in late February.
Vadim Sch. killed a 62-year-old civilian in Chupakhivka on February 28 © (c) APA/AFP/GENYA SAVILOV (GENYA SAVILOV)
The Siberian tank soldier apologized to wide international attention. “I’m sorry. I’m very sorry. I didn’t refuse and I’m ready to accept whatever measures are imposed,” he said in his closing speech last week. The process started last week. It is considered possible that the man will be exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners in Russia. Like Ukraine, Russia captured many soldiers.
Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on February 24. Since then, the United Nations has recorded more than 3,800 civilian deaths. The actual number will likely be significantly higher.