A soldier was convicted in Nalchik for prolonged absence from his unit.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Ali Dzhambekov to a prison term, finding him guilty of evading military service during mobilization. The soldier was held at his registered address for two years and seven months, but was only detained after voluntarily returning to his unit.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on September 24, 2022, Parts 2.1, 3.1, and 5 of Article 337, concerning unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service during mobilization, were added to the Russian Criminal Code. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. Tighter legislation following the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit and desertion.

A serviceman named Dzhambekov was found guilty under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code, the Nalchik Garrison Military Court announced on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Dzhambekov failed to report for duty at his military unit without good reason "on June 27, 2023, during mobilization."

The court's report states that the serviceman was absent from his unit for two years and seven months, while staying at his registered address, but was only detained after voluntarily returning to duty.

"On January 28, 2026, "Dzhambekov voluntarily reported to a military unit stationed in the Republic of Ingushetia, and from June 27, 2023, to January 28, 2026, Dzhambekov spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence and registration," the publication states.

In court, Dzhambekov fully admitted his guilt "and expressed regret for his actions." "At the same time, when sentencing, the court took into account the factual circumstances of the case related to the period of Dzhambekov's evasion of military service, the nature and degree of public danger posed by the defendant's actions, which constituted a serious crime against military service," the statement noted.

The defendant was sentenced to five years in a general regime penal colony. "The convicted person was taken into custody in the courtroom and placed in a pretrial detention facility," the court stated.

The court's press service did not provide the defendant's name. According to the case file, updated today on the court's website, the defendant is Ali Dzhambekov.

As a reminder, on September 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization. On October 28 of that year, the Minister of Defense reported to the president on its completion, but no corresponding decree followed. Lawyers concluded that a presidential decree is not required to end partial mobilization, Putin's press secretary explained.

Moreover, on December 12, 2023, the Maykop Military Court, in its verdict on a mobilized soldier who left his unit in June 2023, emphasized that "partial mobilization was declared in the Russian Federation, which was not completed at the time the crime was committed, ."