A 21-YEAR-OLD Russian soldier pleaded guilty to war crimes in a Kiev court hearing today, the first trial since the latest stage of the war in Ukraine began in February. 

Vadim Shishimarin faces life in prison after he admitted shooting a 62-year-old man who was riding his bike near Chupakhivka.

According to prosecutors Mr Shishimarin, who commanded a unit in a tank division, was ordered to kill the civilian and used a Kalashnikov assault rifle to do so.