KYIV | The first Russian soldier tried for war crimes in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion "ask forgiveness" on Thursday from the widow of the Ukrainian civilian killed, noted an AFP journalist during the hearing in a court in Kyiv .

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"I know you won't be able to forgive me, but I beg your pardon," 21-year-old NCO Vadim Chichimarine said in an exchange with Katerina Chelipova, the widow of the 62-year-old man. admits killing in northeastern Ukraine on February 28.