A soldier was convicted in Nalchik for leaving his unit.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Aslan Fidarov to a prison term, 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 and desertion.

08:14 28.03.2026

The case of a contract soldier from Vladikavkaz highlights the problem of violations of military personnel's rights

A Vladikavkaz resident held a picket to demand that the sentence for leaving her son's unit, who was deemed fit for service despite a spinal injury sustained at the training ground, be overturned. Human rights activists have called the practice of returning soldiers who have not fully recovered systematic.

A serviceman named Fidarov was found guilty under Part 3.1 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code 1 , the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, the serviceman left his military unit without good reason "on February 18, 2026, during mobilization."

"On March 10, 2026, Fidarov voluntarily reported to the military investigative department stationed in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, and from February 18 to March 10, 2026, Mr. Fidarov spent his time at his own discretion, at his place of residence," the publication states.

In court, Fidarov admitted his guilt and "expressed regret for his actions." However, the court noted that the serviceman had already been sentenced on February 3, 2026, under the same article to a suspended sentence of 2.5 years.

The suspended sentence from the previous sentence was overturned by the court.

"Due to the commission of a serious crime, the suspended sentence from the previous sentence was overturned by the court. Therefore, taking into account the factual circumstances of the case and the personal information about the defendant Fidarov, the defendant was sentenced to a final sentence based on the cumulative sentences of four years of actual imprisonment in a general regime penal colony. The convicted person was remanded in custody in the courtroom," the court reported.

The court's press service did not provide the name of the convicted person. According to the case file on the court's website, the convicted person is Aslan Fidarov.

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, ."