A soldier was convicted in Nalchik for leaving his unit.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Islam Shogenov to five years in prison, finding him guilty of leaving his unit without permission during mobilization.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on September 24, 2022, Parts 2.1, 3.1, and 5 of Article 337, concerning leaving a unit or place of service without permission 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 or desertion.

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

According to the court, Shogenov voluntarily left his duty station – a temporary deployment point of a military unit – on February 27, 2026, during mobilization, without valid reason.

"On April 10, 2026, Shogenov voluntarily reported to the military commandant's office stationed in Mozdok, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, and from February 27 to April 10, 2026, Shogenov spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence," the publication states.

Shogenov "recognized the illegality of his actions, truthfully described them, and expressed regret for what he had done." "At the same time, when sentencing, the court took into account the factual circumstances of the case related to the period of Shogenov'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 notes.

The defendant was sentenced to five years in a general regime penal colony. "The verdict has not entered into legal force and can be appealed," the court stated.

The court's press service did not provide the name of the convicted man. According to the case file on the court's website, the convicted man is Islam Shogenov. The case was submitted to the court on May 20, and the verdict was handed down at the first hearing.

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 have concluded that a presidential decree is not needed to end partial mobilization, Putin's press secretary explained.

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