A Russian soldier has confessed to killing an unarmed civilian in a Ukrainian court

Vadim Shishimarin
Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin charged with murder of Ukrainian civilian / Photo EPA-EFE / TANYA GORDIENKO

Vadim Shishimarin (21), a Russian soldier on trial for war crimes in Ukraine, today pleaded guilty to killing an unarmed civilian.

He is accused of shooting an unarmed 62-year-old civilian in the first days of the invasion and faces life in prison.

According to prosecutors, Shishimarin was in a stolen vehicle with other soldiers in the northeastern Sumy region when they came across a 62-year-old cyclist holding a mobile phone.

Shishimarin was reportedly ordered to shoot at the civilian in order to prevent him from revealing the location of the Russian troops to the Ukrainian defenders.

"With this first trial, we are sending a clear signal that any perpetrator, any person who ordered or assisted in the commission of a crime in Ukraine, will not evade responsibility," said Chief Prosecutor Irina Venediktova.

Prosecutors say more trials could follow as thousands of potential crimes committed by Russian forces are identified. Moscow has denied that its troops targeted civilians.

The Kremlin says it has no information about the trial of a Russian and a soldier and accuses Kyiv of fabricating charges.

Source: MIA

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