Russian fighters convicted of war crimes call Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine a “failure.”
Alexander Bobikin, 26, and Alexander Ivanov, 21, sat emotionally after being sentenced to 12 years each yesterday.
The soldiers were captured and brought to court for shelling in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.
Judge Evan Bolibok said his guilt was “fully proven”.
More than 38 rockets were fired at private areas and schools and destroyed by the troops they were in.
Artillery driver Bobkin and gunner Ivanov said they were simply executing orders.
Bobikin, who spoke to The Sun at the end of the trial, said he wanted to end the bloody conflict and called the war operation a “defeat”.
The 26-year-old newspaper said: “I want to join the Ukrainian army.
“Putin must stop the war now. It’s a mistake. War is a defeat.
“I am happy with my condition in prison.
“My family knows that I am here. I changed my mind about what I did. My judgment is correct.
Asked by the sun if Putin’s entire attack on the Ukraine failed, the soldier answered “yes.”
Bobbikin and Ivanov were captured by Ukrainian troops after crossing the Russian border.
Last week, both men pleaded guilty to “violating the laws and customs of war.”
Thousands of possible war crimes are currently being investigated by the Ukrainian authorities and more trials will be held in the future.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously called as many people as possible to account for the atrocities committed during the war.
He said the “pursuit of all Russian war criminals” is an important step the world can take to support.
He added that “Ukrainian courts, international courts and only on the battlefield for the duration of the war” need a court.
Putin and his Russian military have repeatedly denied targeting civilians and involvement in war crimes.
Regarding the decisions by Bobbikin and Ivanov, legal sources told the Sun yesterday: “Send a strong message that the Russians are fully investigating the savage acts for which they are responsible.
“His soldiers committed bombings, murders, rapes and thought they would run away.
“The truth is they don’t.
“We are conducting intensive forensic examinations to bring them to justice so they can face the consequences of their actions.
The verdict of Bobbikin and Ivanov yesterday is the second verdict in the War Crimes Tribunal since the beginning of the war.
Sergeant Vadim Sisimarin, 21, had previously been tried for shooting unarmed civilians with Kalashnikov assault rifles through an open car window.
After being attacked by Ukrainian troops on February 28, he fled the village of Chupakifka in a stolen car with four other soldiers.
The group caught up with Alexander Shelipov, 62, who was pushing his bike to the side of the road and talking on the phone.
He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of an unarmed civilian.
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Source: Metro
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