The first Russian soldier standing trial for war crimes committed in Ukraine has been sentenced to life in prison.

A court in Ukraine sentenced Vadim Shishimarin, 21, to life in prison on Monday for the killing of an unarmed 62-year-old Ukrainian man in late February in a village in the Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine.

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Shishimarin pleaded guilty last week to charges brought under Ukraine's violation of the laws and customs of war statute.

Shishimarin, reportedly a sergeant and commander of Russia's 4th Guards Tank Division, shot and killed Oleksandr Shelipov as he rode his bicycle in the village of Chupakhivka on Feb. 28, four days after Russia invaded.

Vadim Shishimarin
Russian Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin listens to his translator during a court hearing in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, May 23, 2022. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

Shishimarin had driven into the village with four Russian soldiers in a stolen car fleeing a Ukrainian military attack. The 21-year-old was reportedly ordered to shoot Shelipov from the vehicle with a Kalashnikov rifle out of fear that Shelipov would report their presence to Ukrainian defense forces.

The soldier apologized to the widow of Shelipov last week.

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"Yes, I acknowledge my fault. I understand that you will not be able to forgive me, but I am sorry," Shishimarin said in the courtroom last Thursday.

Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating more than 11,000 war crime cases. Criminal charges have been filed against at least 10 Russian soldiers for human rights abuses.