Russian Soldier Pleads Guilty at Ukraine War Crimes Trial
SnopesDec 04, 2021
Day 84 Roundup: First War Crimes Trial Commences in Kyiv; Peace Talks Reportedly Stall
Image copyright: Shutterstock [via The Guardian]
The Facts
As the first war crimes trial of a Russian soldier commenced in Kyiv on Wed., Vadim Shishimarin, 21, pleaded guilty to the Feb. 28 murder of a 62-year-old man.
A day previously, Karim Khan QC, the British chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, announced that the court has sent its "largest ever" team of experts to Ukraine. The 42-strong group is made up of investigators, forensic experts and support staff, and will collect evidence of alleged Russian war crimes.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after a fraudulent election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.