The widow of an unarmed man killed in the northeastern Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka has spoken out after Russian soldier Vadim Shishmarin was given a life sentence last week, in the first war crimes trial since Russia's attack on Ukraine began.

Kateryna Shelipova said she witnessed 21-year-old tank commander Shishmarin, carrying a rifle just before she found her husband, Oleksandr Shelipov, lying dead on the road near their house on February 28.
 

The court heard that Shishmarin had fired several shots at 62 year-old Oleksandr's head after being told by to do so by another Russian soldier, who feared their position would be revealed to Ukrainian forces.

Shishmarin pleaded guilty to the murder and asked for forgiveness from the widow before being sentenced.

Cover photo: Kateryna Shelipova, widow of 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov. Reuters/Ivan Alvarado