The Solomianka District Court in Kyiv has sentenced russian serviceman Vadim Shishimarin to life in prison for violating the laws and customs of war, combined with the premeditated murder of a peaceful Ukrainian, Oleksandr Shepilov.
The court also ordered to recover from Shishimarin for examinations - a total of about 24,000 hryvnyas. This was reported by the correspondent of LB.ua.
The occupier has the right to file an appeal within 30 days.
Shishimarin is the commander of the 4th Kantemirov Panzer Division of the Moscow Region. He became the first russian military to stand trial for crimes related to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The accused in his last word, which he said at a meeting on May 20, said he was ready to serve his sentence. The prosecutor's office asked to sentence the occupier to life imprisonment. The victim, Kateryna Shepilov, the victim's wife, said she also believes Shishimarin deserved a life sentence, but she doesn't mind him being exchanged for captured Azovstal fighters. The trial of the russian occupier began in May. At a meeting on May 18, Shishimarin fully pleaded guilty. He explained his actions by "following orders”.
On February 24, 2022, a column of russian servicemen was moving in the Okhtyrka district of the Sumy region. About 15 russian servicemen split into groups after Ukrainian troops broke up the column. Retreating, the russian military Vadim Shishimarin, Igor Matisov, Makeev, Kalinin and Kolpakov seized a car near the village of Chupakhivka and drove into the village. Shishimarin, Kolpakov, Makeev and Matisov rode in the car, Kalinin rode in the trunk.
In the village, they met a local resident, 62-year-old Oleksander Shepilov, who was riding a bicycle along the roadside. Shishimarin fired several shots at him, killing Shelipov. The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.
In the village, locals ambushed the russian military and killed Kolpakov. Four other soldiers, including Shishimarin, hid on the farm and remained there until March 1. Then they surrendered to the locals.
Shishimarin is the first russian serviceman to stand trial in Ukraine for violating the customs of war. Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for imprisonment from 10 to 15 years or life imprisonment.