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

A military court in Nalchik sentenced Zalim Bekov 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. Tightening of legislation after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit or desertion.

A serviceman named Bekov was found guilty under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation 1 , the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Bekov, without good reason, "on March 5, 2025, that is, during the mobilization period," committed unauthorized abandonment of his military unit.

"On July 18, 2025, Bekov voluntarily reported to his military unit, and from March 5 to July 18, he spent his time at his own discretion in the place "his residence," the publication states.

At the court hearing, Bekov fully pleaded guilty to the crime charged against him. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony.

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 defendant is Zalim Bekov. The case was submitted to the court on January 19, and the verdict was handed down on January 28.

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."