A Ukrainian court sentenced two captured Russian soldiers to 11½ years in jail on Tuesday for shelling a town in eastern Ukraine, the second war crimes verdict since the start of Russia’s invasion in February.
Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov, who listened to the verdict standing in a reinforced glass box at the Kotelevska district court in central Ukraine, both pleaded guilty last week.
“The guilt of Bobikin and Ivanov has been proven in full,” Judge Evhen Bolybok said.
Both acknowledged last week being part of an artillery unit that fired at targets in the Kharkiv region from the Belgorod region in Russia.
‘Utterly fearless’: tributes paid to ‘freedom fighter’ Robert Deegan, Irish soldier killed in Ukraine
Former restaurant housing almost 150 Ukrainians to be shut over Christmas due to fire safety concerns
EU needs to be less ‘polite’ in resisting Russian attempts to sway elections
Polish PM Donald Tusk emerges to take leading role on Ukraine
The shelling destroyed an educational facility in the town of Derhachi, but caused no casualties, the prosecutors said.
Bobikin and Ivanov, described as an artillery driver and a gunner, were captured after crossing the border and continuing the shelling.
Prosecutors had asked the court to jail the Russian servicemen for 12 years, while the defence asked for leniency, saying the two soldiers had been following orders and repented. – Reuters