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Russian invasion: Russian soldier who pleaded guilty to war crimes sentenced to life in prison

A court in Ukraine has sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison for killing a civilian.

Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin, 21, pleaded guilty to shooting a 62-year-old man in the head, killing him, The Associated Press reported.

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Shishimari said an officer ordered him to shoot Oleksandr Shelipov, who was seen speaking on his cellphone. The officer told Shishimari that the man could tell Ukraine forces where the Russian military was located, the AP reported.

Ukraine claims that more than 11,000 war crimes have happened since Russia invaded their country on Feb. 24, BBC News reported. Moscow denied troops were targeting civilians.

He asked for forgiveness from Shelipov’s widow, BBC News reported.

>>Previous coverage: Russian soldier pleads guilty to killing civilian in war crimes case

Shishimari was convicted under Part 2of Article 438 of the criminal code of Ukraine, the judge said in the proceedings on Monday, CNN reported.

While handing down the sentence, Judge Serhiy Agafonov said, “Given that the crime committed is a crime against peace, security, humanity and the international legal order ... the court does not see the possibility of imposing a (shorter) sentence of imprisonment,” BBC News reported.

Shishimari can appeal the sentence within 30 days, CNN reported. His attorney said he plans to appeal, BBC News reported.

Shishimari’s conviction was the first for war crimes since the invasion started, the AP reported.