An appeals court in Kyiv has reduced the life sentence handed to a Russian soldier for the murder of an unarmed civilian in the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to 15 years.
Vadim Shishimarin, 21, was handed the life sentence in May in the first war crimes trial to arise from Russia's invasion. The reduction of his sentence was issued by a panel of judges on the Kyiv Court of Appeals, the news website Grati reported on July 29 on Telegram.
The Russian sergeant pleaded guilty in the death of a 62-year-old Ukrainian civilian, Oleksandr Shelypov, who was shot on February 28 while riding a bicycle in the village of Chupakhivka in the northeastern region of Sumy.
Shishimarin's lawyer asked the court during his appeal hearing on July 13 to cancel the verdict and acquit his client, saying it violated the rules and customs of war and arguing that Shishimarin had no intent to kill Shelypov.
The lawyer, Viktor Ovsyannikov, also pointed out that the court did not take into account that Shishimarin refused several times to comply with the order to shoot, which was given by his immediate commander and another officer. Also, prior to sentencing, the court did not take into account that Shishimarin voluntarily surrendered and did no more harm.
Ovsyannikov said the punishment was “excessively severe,” noting that Shishimarin did not refuse to testify, described how the events took place, and pleaded guilty to having shot the victim.
Shishimarin, who comes from the Siberian region of Irkutsk, said little at the hearing.
Prosecutors had argued in favor of maintaining the sentence.