Hearing held for Russian soldier accused of war crime

Vadim Shishimarin is accused of killing an unarmed 62-year-old civilian

A Russian soldier accused of killing an unarmed Ukrainian civilian has appeared in court in Kyiv today, ahead of the first war crimes trial since the start of the war.

Vadim Shishimarin, 21, was brought to court for a preliminary hearing, accused of killing an unarmed 62-year-old civilian.

Shishimarin, who confirmed that he was a Russian serviceman, faces possible life imprisonment on charges of war crimes and premeditated murder.

"One of the military servicemen ordered the accused to kill a civilian so that he would not report them," according to a statement from prosecutor Iryna Venediktova's office on Thursday.

Shishimarin will tell the court at a later date whether or not he denies the charge, his lawyer Viktor Ovsyannikov said.

The judge said the court will reconvene on 18 May.

Russia said it had no information about the trial, and has repeatedly denied any involvement in war crimes, reports BBC.