A soldier was convicted in Nalchik for failing to report to his unit.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Ruslan Chakhkiev to five years in prison for evading military service during mobilization.

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 introduced into 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 or desertion.

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

On August 11, 2025, Chakhkiev failed to report for duty at the appointed time without a valid reason, and on October 31 of that year, he was discovered by police in Magas, Ingushetia. Thus, "from August 11 to October 31, 2025, Chakhkiyev spent his time at his own discretion," the court's press service said in a publication.

In court, the defendant "expressed regret for his actions" and pleaded guilty. Ultimately, the court sentenced Chakhkiyev to five years in prison. He will serve his sentence in a general regime penal colony.

The court's press service did not provide the defendant's name. According to the case file on the court's website, the defendant is Ruslan Chakhkiyev. The case was submitted to the court on May 13, and Judge Pyatov delivered his verdict on May 20.

As a reminder, Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization on September 21, 2022. 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 for 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, ."