Yahoo TV

STORY: In a trial that has huge symbolic importance for Kyiv, Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old Russian tank commander is charged with murdering the unarmed 62-year-old civilian in the northeast Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28.

On Wednesday (May 18) he pleaded guilty and, if convicted, could be sentenced to life.

Asked by the widow of the dead man if he repented, he told her: “Yes. I admit guilt. I understand that you will not be able to forgive me, I apologize for everything I have done.”

Ukraine has accused Russia of atrocities and brutality against civilians during the invasion and said it has identified more than 10,000 possible war crimes.

Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in war crimes and accused Kyiv of staging them to smear its forces.

Ukrainian state prosecutors have said Shishimarin and four other Russian servicemen fired at and stole a privately owned car to escape after their column was targeted by Ukrainian forces.

The Russian soldiers drove into the village of Chupakhivka where they saw an unarmed resident riding a bicycle and talking on his phone, they said.

They said Shishimarin was ordered by another serviceman to kill the civilian to prevent him reporting on the Russians' presence and fired several shots through the open window of the car with an assault rifle at the civilian's head, killing him instantly.