Widow confronts Russian soldier who killed husband

The first Russian soldier on trial for war crimes is back on the stand in Kyiv. The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to shooting a 62-year-old unarmed Ukrainian civilian. In court, he had a message for the victim's widow. CNN's Melissa Bell has more. #CNN #News

[jensstolt]

My father said: " A solider is a poor mans son, who protects a rich mans property".

[fernandoalegria]

As a Marine, 18yrs old, in Viet Nam, I have seen his story unfold, maybe more than I care to acknowledge. He will live with this for the rest of his life, and rue those few seconds that have made him a murderer. The people who sent him are the real murderers, but they will escape justice.

[pmd]

What?! He is so young, looks like a child. So when will they be putting Putin on trial?

[acespades]

I can’t help but feel bad for him, he looks like a kid, forced into a situation he didn’t understand and felt forced to obey his commanders, who should also be held accountable to a higher degree. But he still made a choice and will have to live with it. But anyone who has been in the military at that age knows you do not disobey a direct order. The Russian government needs to be help accountable for waging a war that target civilians.

[davidtrew]

It would not surprise me that this young man had no training in the concept of a war crime or of an unlawful order.

[Benson_aka_devils_advocate_]

This guy knows that from this point forward the worst treatment he will ever see in Ukrainian custody will still be preferable to the best treatment he would see upon returning to the front lines. What he did was wrong, and he deserves punishment. However, it's this guy's commanders that bear the brunt of responsibility as if it wasn't for their orders many civilians would still be alive.

[icepickstabski]

Man, could you imagine if we had public trials like this for every bystander shot in Iraq or Afghanistan.

[cyrus]

These kids were told they were on a training exercise. They were then ordered to kill and destroy and many of them didn't want to be there and felt betrayed. The pressure on one so young is immense. But he was forced to do something that so shocks the moral conscience. And now he stands up and owns it like a man. Where is he supposed to go?

[briananthony]

I see there is a story, whether true or not, of a Russian commander throwing a grenade at the feet of a soldier who refused to shoot civilians. Leaves me feeling dead inside over what it must be like to be in this war.

[kittyss]

I am deeply sorry for the loss of the innocent old man died in the hand of his young soldier ... but I am also feeling saddened that this russian soldier have been used by 1 mad man, Putin to satisfy his greed for power.

[dawnadriana]

This is a tragedy on every level. And its the same story... old men sending young men to fight and die in their wars. My generation of boys died in Vietnam, fighting a truly senseless war that accomplished absolutely nothing. At least the Ukrainians know what they're fighting for...their country, their freedom, their lives.

[governometrics]

So heartbreaking. 🇺🇦 Is devastated by war. And the life of this young man is so devastated by war. May justice, mercy and peace be the end of this madness. May God bless 🇺🇦 and the victims of war, dispense justice where it is due, have mercy for repentant hearts, and reward the just and oppressed.

I feel sorry for both sides….my son is 1 year younger than him….this situation is horrible 😔

[PhilLesh]

You know he is being treated humanely and being given a fair trial because they allowed him to wear his native gopnik attire in court instead of a prison jump suit. It should help humanize him in the eyes of the jury to see him in his native Adidas track suit.

[omfug]

The kid of course says that he was just following orders, I have been with my partner for 32 years, I can't imagine finding his body somewhere after he had been shot in the head several times. The widow said yesterday that she feels sorry for this boy, and so do I, but he must pay for his crime.

[wr]

Overall sadness for both sides. This young man, only age 21 fighting a war he didn't create, following commands he didn't know, and now both sides are paying the price. Those who started this should be held responsible.

[BladeDevil]

he didnt feel shame, hes sorry he got caught.

[Roseforres]

Heartbreaking for all. May God bring peace to Ukraine and Russia

[nilnil]

Honestly I feel sorry for the young soldier. He seems totally distraught. It's a harsh truth of a war, the soldiers also fear for his own life and can do crazy stuff.

[BurntheKremlin]

At this moment Ukrainians and Russian should be looking in the same direction at one man in the Kremlin!
But there isn't enought good in this world for that!✊🇺🇦