A serviceman from Kabardino-Balkaria was convicted of evading military service.

The court sentenced Aslan Kazharov, a resident of the Urvan District, to six years in prison for twice leaving his military 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 unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service during mobilization, were amended 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.

Mobilization deprived contract soldiers from southern Russia of the opportunity to resign

Serviceman Kazharov was found guilty under Part 3.1 1 and Part 5 2 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code, the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Kazharov "without good reason on March 6 and August 7, 2025, in both cases during the mobilization period" failed to report for duty at his military unit.

"In the first case, on May 27, 2025, and in the second case, on August 26, 2025, Kazharov was found by police officers in the village of Psynabo, Urvan District, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, and from March 6 to May 27, 2025 "and from August 7 to 26, 2025, he spent his time at his own discretion," the publication states.

The defendant admitted guilt and expressed regret for his actions. "Kazharov was sentenced to a final sentence of six years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. The convicted person was taken into custody in the courtroom and placed in a pretrial detention facility. The verdict has not entered into legal force," the court reported.

The court's press service did not provide the name of the convicted person. According to the case file, updated today on the court's website, the defendant is Aslan Kazharov. The case was submitted to the court on March 4, and a verdict was rendered 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."