Russian soldier on trial: “I did not want to kill”.
A 21-year-old Russian soldier charged with war crimes in Ukraine has told the court he “did not want to kill” an unarmed civilian.
Vadim Shishimarin, a tank commander, pleaded guilty to killing Oleksandr Shelipov, a 62-year-old civilian, in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on February 28.
“I sincerely regret it. “I was nervous at the time, I did not want to kill… so it happened,” said Shishimarin.
The soldier is accused of shooting several times in the head at a civilian from a moving vehicle after being ordered to do so.
Defense attorney Viktor Ovsiannikov told the court that the boy had shot only after he twice refused to carry out the shooting order and only one of three to four bullets hit the target.
Alternatively, the judge may rule on Monday when the court convenes, with the state prosecutor asking the court to sentence Shishimarin with life imprisonment.
Ukraine has accused Russia of cruelty and brutality against civilians during the occupation while announcing it has identified more than 10,000 possible war crimes.
