A serviceman was convicted in Nalchik for leaving his unit without permission.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Khizir Shaipov to five years in prison, finding him guilty of evading military service during mobilization.

As reported by "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 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 to duty systemic.

A serviceman named Shaipov 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, the serviceman left his military unit without good reason "on January 5, 2026, during mobilization."

"On March 11, 2026, Shaipov was detained by a police officer at a federal checkpoint in the Zolsky District of Kabardino-Balkaria. From January 5 to March 11, Shaipov spent his time at his own discretion, including and at his place of residence," the publication states.

In court, Shaipov admitted his guilt and "expressed regret for his actions." The defendant was sentenced to five years in prison. He will serve his sentence 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 convicted person is Khizir Shaipov. The case was submitted to the court for consideration on May 4, and the verdict was handed down at the first hearing on May 13.

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."