Victim's widow demands life sentence for Russian occupation forces soldier in trial

A Russian soldier is on trial for killing a man in Sumy region. The dead man's wife called for the perpetrator to be given a life sentence. She also suggested he could be part of a prisoner swap for Ukrainian troops from Azovstal.

These are the results of the court trial on May 19th.

At the same time the woman says she wouldn’t be against exchanging the Russian occupant for Ukrainian soldiers currently defending Azovstal.

The investigation tells that on 28th of February, the 21-year-old soldier shot at an unarmed civilian who was walking on the sidewalk with his bike in his hands. The victim died on the spot, just a couple dozen meters from his home.

This happened after the military forces of Ukraine destroyed a column of Russian military equipment. Retreating with four other Russian occupants, the group had opened fire at a vehicle, later stealing it. In this car the group had encountered the victim, who was talking on his phone.

One of the occupants ordered sergeant Shyshymaryn to kill the Ukrainian to prevent him from spreading information about the location of the Russian soldier group. Suspect has opened fire out of the car window with an AK, aiming for the head. The victim died on the spot, a dozen meters from home.

If the Russian occupant comes out as guilty, he will face more than 15 years of incarceration, possibly a life sentence.