(DCWatchdog.com) – BREAKING NOW: Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin of the Russian Armed Forces has become the first Russian soldier to be convicted of a war crime during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion, and there have been many allegations of war crimes being committed by his military,
Shishimarin pleaded guilty today to killing a 62-year-old man, Oleksandr Shelipov, in cold blood as Shelipov was riding to his home on his bicycle.
The prosecutor’s office and the Security Services of Ukraine have gathered evidence to try this soldier for war crimes and premeditated murder. He might face 10-15 years in prison. It could also mean a life sentence,” Ukraine General Prosecutor Iryna Venediktova wrote in a Facebook post.
The Security Services of Ukraine captured and arrested Shishimarin almost immediately after he shot Shelipov on February 28th. Shishimarin reportedly surrendered because he “didn’t want to fight” and “wanted to stay alive.”
In describing the murder, Shishimarin said, “Kafurov, our ensign, told me to shoot. I refused. Another soldier who was with me at the time raised his voice and threatened to report me to higher-ups if I didn’t. So, I fired a short burst.”
Shelipov was instantly killed as he stood no more than 20 feet from his house.
The Ukrainian prosecutor will ask the court for a sentence of life in prison for Shishimarin.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS REPORT FROM THE DC WATCHDOG.
