Ukraine jails 2 captured Russian soldiers for over 11 years

By Bahtiyar Abdulkerimov

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) – A Ukrainian court on Tuesday sentenced two captured Russian soldiers to 11 years and six months in jail for shelling Ukrainian towns.

Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov both pleaded guilty last week.

Prosecutors sought a 12-year prison term for the soldiers, who took part in attacks on areas in the Kharkiv region from Russia’s Belgorod region.

They were captured by Ukrainian forces after crossing the border.

This is the second war crimes verdict since Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February.

On May 23, a Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier named Vadim Shishimarin to life in prison for war crimes and killing unarmed civilians.

According to UN estimates, at least 4,074 civilians have been killed and 4,826 injured in Ukraine since the war began on Feb. 24, with the true toll believed to be much higher.

Over 6.8 million people have fled to other countri​​​​​​​es, while more than 7.7 million have been internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.