Ukraine Begins First War Crimes Trial For Russian Soldier Accused Of Killing Unarmed Civilian

The preliminary hearing of a case against a 21-year-old Russian soldier accused of killing a 62-year-old Ukrainian man could be the first of many trials as authorities try to investigate what they say are thousands of potential war crimes committed by Russian troops.

According to the Associated Press, Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin appeared in a small glass booth during his preliminary hearing on Friday and confirmed his identity.

Shishimarin is accused of violating the laws and customs of war by shooting a Ukrainian man in the head with a rifle from an open window.

According to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, a 62-year-old man died on the spot after being shot.

There was enough evidence to convict Shishimarin and there would be more cases to come, according to the state prosecutor.

The tank unit that Shishimarin was a member of was captured by Ukrainian forces. A soldier and four other Russian troops stole a car in an attempt to escape after Ukrainian forces targeted their column, according to a statement before the hearing. The five soldiers ordered Shishimarin to kill the 62-year-old resident in the village of Chupakhiva because he was talking on the phone and walking his bike. The trial comes a month after Venediktova said she had filed charges against 10 soldiers from the 64th Separate Motor Rifle brigade, a Russian army unit the government alleges was involved in the torture of civilians. The country has not filed war crime charges since the discovery of hundreds of bodies in the northwest suburb of Kyiv.

There are more war crimes trials. According to the Wall Street Journal, Venediktova said her office had already identified about 40 Russian soldiers suspected of war crimes. The International Criminal Court is investigating war crimes committed by Russian troops. Russian forces have been accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Ukrainian government will try a Russian soldier for war crimes.

The first war crimes trial of a Russian soldier is about to start.

There is compelling evidence of Russian war crimes.