A Kyiv court found a Russian soldier who killed an unarmed civilian guilty in the first war crimes trial since the invasion — as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking virtually to the World Economic Forum in Davos, accused Russia of “becoming a state of war criminals.”
Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old Russian tank commander who pleaded guilty last week to killing a 62-year-old Ukrainian man but said he was following orders, was convicted of premeditated murder and “violation of the rules and customs of war.” He was sentenced to life in prison, and his lawyer said he would appeal. Ukraine’s prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova said the verdict represents one of about 13,000 ongoing investigations into suspected war crimes committed by Russian forces and officials.
Meanwhile, the battle for Severodonetsk is becoming a focal point in the war as Russia, after seizing the southeastern port of Mariupol, seeks to capture one of the last major cities in a key eastern province still under Ukrainian control.
Here’s what else to know
- A diplomat at Russia’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva has resigned over the war in Ukraine, writing that he has never been “so ashamed” of his country.
- The Pentagon announced that about 20 countries have pledged new security assistance packages for Ukraine, including new anti-ship missiles, additional attack helicopters and tanks.
- Starbucks said it will exit the Russian market, joining other corporate giants in pulling out of the country over its invasion of Ukraine.
- The United Nations said 6.5 million Ukrainians have now fled Ukraine, pushing the number of people forcibly displaced by conflicts around the world over 100 million for the first time.
- The Washington Post has lifted its paywall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our channel.