Ukraine jails Russian soldier for life for killing POW in first such ruling

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine - A Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier on Thursday to life in prison after finding him guilty of killing a Ukrainian prisoner of war, the first time Ukraine has jailed a suspect on such charges since Russias invasion.

The court in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia found Dmitry Kurashov, 27, guilty of shooting dead Vitalii Hodniuk, a Ukrainian soldier who had surrendered in January 2024 when his dugout was captured by Russian forces.

Kurashov, who was taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces along with other Russian troops soon after the incident, pleaded guilty in court, although he later told reporters that he was innocent and wanted to be exchanged in a prisoner swap.

His sentencing carries symbolic importance for Ukraine, which says Russian forces have executed numerous Ukrainian prisoners of war, but that the suspects are usually outside their jurisdiction.

Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, denies its troops carry out war crimes.

Ukraines Prosecutor Generals Office told Reuters that criminal investigations were underway into the murder of 322 Ukrainian servicemen who had unconditionally laid down their arms and/or surrendered since the 2022 invasion.

Kurashov, who lost his left eye while fighting Ukraine, joined one of the Russian militarys Storm V assault units in exchange for early release from prison where he was serving a jail sentence for theft, according to Ukrainian authorities.

At the end of his trial, he chose not to say anything for his last words to the court.

Before the verdict was read, he stood subdued with his arms crossed in front of him. He declined to answer questions from reporters, but smiled slightly when