A Russian soldier who allegedly killed an unarmed 62-year-old man in the Sumy region of Ukraine will now be brought to justice. This was announced by Ukrainian authorities on Thursday.
– The accused fired several shots through the open window of a car from a Kalashnikov rifle in the head of a 62-year-old victim. The man died on the spot, just a few tens of meters from his own home, the Ukrainian public prosecutor’s office writes on Facebook.
The accused soldier Vadim Shyshimarin is the first to stand trial for war crimes in Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24.
– Only the tip of the iceberg
Ten thousand are being investigated
The 21-year-old man now risks life in prison, according to Ukrainian authorities.
– The suspect is currently in custody. Prosecutors and investigators at SBU have gathered enough evidence of his involvement in violating the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder. For these actions he can get from 10 years to life in prison, it says in the message.
ATTORNEY ATTORNEY: Iryna Venediktova visiting a mass grave in Butsja in April. Photo: NTB / AFP
sea view
Ukrainian Attorney General Iryna Venediktova has previously said that they are investigating more than 10,700 war crimes committed by Russian soldiers, and that more than 600 suspects have been identified.
Many of the alleged abuses came to light in April after Russian forces gave up trying to capture Kyiv and withdrew from the surrounding areas.
BUTSHA: Dead bodies are found in the streets of Butsja, Ukraine. The photo was taken on April 2. Photo: AFP
sea view
The starting shot
Kjersti Lohne, associate professor of criminology and sociology of law at the University of Oslo, believes this indictment can mark the beginning of a larger, legal process.
“This is probably the start of Ukraine’s attempt to hold someone responsible for the many horrific events that have taken place in the country since Russia’s invasion,” she told Dagbladet.
sea view
–
Ever since Russian forces withdrew from the areas around Kyiv, national and international investigation teams have traveled in to investigate what happened when the areas were attempted to be occupied.
– I think we will probably see a development around the prosecution of Russian soldiers in the future. Ukraine is currently receiving massive international assistance and assistance in investigating potential war crimes, Lohne says.
GRAVE: Forensic scientists examine buried bodies in Buddha, Ukraine. Photo: NTB / Mykhaylo Palinchak.
sea view
In addition to international and national, Ukrainian human rights organizations supporting the investigation, there has also been assistance from other agencies.
– Ukraine’s own investigations are today supported by a so-called “Joint Investigation Team” which is coordinated by a cooperation body under the EU. In addition, they cooperate with the investigation team of the ICC – the international criminal court, in which the Norwegian police also participate, Lohne says.
Associate Professor Kjersti Lohne. Photo: UiO
sea view
Despite increasing international cooperation to prosecute those involved, there is no guarantee that higher authorities will be punished for war crimes, according to Lohne.
– What is far more difficult is the prosecution of the decision-makers, ie those who are primarily responsible for the situation that we now see unfolding in Ukraine – including Putin.
– It is far more difficult to bring Putin to justice than a Russian soldier from the front line.
Russia, for its part, has denied all allegations of war crimes.
–
