A soldier from Nalchik received a prison sentence for evading military service.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Aslan Kushkhov 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 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.

A serviceman named Kushkhov was found guilty on December 29 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, Kushkhov "on May 21, 2025, during the mobilization period," failed to report for duty at his military unit without good reason.

"On July 12, 2025, Kushkhov voluntarily reported to the garrison's military prosecutor's office, "stationed in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, and from May 21 to July 12, 2025, Kushkhov spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence," the publication states.

In court, Kushkhov fully admitted his guilt. "The defendant was sentenced to five years of imprisonment in a general regime penal colony," the court stated.

The court's press service did not disclose the name of the convicted person. According to the case file on the court's website, the defendant is Aslan Kushkhov. The case was submitted to the court on December 18, 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."