A soldier was convicted in Nalchik for leaving his unit.

A military court in Nalchik sentenced Pavel Belov 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 Belov was found guilty under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code 1 , the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Belov left his military unit without good reason "on July 12, 2024, that is, during the mobilization period."

"On February 18, 2025, Belov voluntarily reported to his military unit, and from July 12, 2024, until February 18, 2025, he spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence. At the court hearing, Belov fully pleaded guilty to the crime charged against him," the publication states.

The defendant was sentenced to five years in a general regime penal colony. The court's press service did not provide his name. According to the case file on the court's website, the defendant is Pavel Belov. The case was submitted to the court on November 17, and the verdict was handed down on December 1.

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, the Maykop military court, 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."