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.

Moscow denies that its soldiers target civilians and said that it had not been informed about today’s hearing. 

The trial was adjourned and is set to continue on Thursday in a larger courtroom. 

Russia claimed today that US occupying forces in Syria were training jihadists to join the fight in Ukraine. 

The Kremlin said that at least 500 Isis fighters and Islamists from Central Asian countries are also set to be deployed against Russian troops in Syria. 

The claims could not be independently verified.