A soldier in Nalchik was convicted of leaving his unit without permission.

A military court in Nalchik sentenced Azamat Shirukhov to two years in prison, finding him guilty of evading military service during mobilization.

As reported by the "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 Shirukhov 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, Shirukhov "on September 4, 2025, during the mobilization period," failed to report for duty at his military unit without good reason. "On September 26, Shirukhov voluntarily reported to the military investigative department in Nalchik, and from September 4 to September 26, 2025, Shirukhov spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence," the publication stated.

In court, Shirukhov fully admitted his guilt. "In sentencing the defendant, the court took into account the impact of the sentence imposed on Shirukhov's rehabilitation, who recognized the illegality of his actions, spoke truthfully about them, and expressed regret for his actions," the court's press service reported.

Furthermore, Shirukhov had previously been convicted under Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code (murder), and again committed a deliberate, serious crime against military service, the court noted.

Shirukhov was sentenced to two years in a special regime penal colony. "The convicted man was taken into custody in the courtroom and placed in a pretrial detention facility," the statement reads.

The court's press service did not provide the convicted man's name. According to the case file on the court's website, the defendant is Azamat Shirukhov. The case was submitted to the court on December 16, and the verdict was handed down on December 25.

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."