A soldier was convicted in Nalchik for leaving his unit.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Akromat Bersanov-Tsaroev to a prison term, 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 laws after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit.

Mobilization deprived contract soldiers from southern Russia of the opportunity to resign

A serviceman named Bersanov-Tsaroyev was found guilty under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code. class="fnoteWrap" id="#wk_ft1" contenteditable="false"> 1 , the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reports on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Bersanov-Tsaroyev, without good reason, "on April 15, 2025, during the mobilization period, failed to report for duty at the appointed time in a military unit stationed in the Tver Region."

He spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence.

"On June 20, 2025, Bersanov-Tsaroyev voluntarily reported to a military unit stationed in the Republic of Ingushetia, and from April 15 to June 20, 2025, he spent time at his own discretion at his place of residence and evaded military service," the court says. The statement reads.

The defendant admitted guilt "and expressed regret for his actions." The court noted that Bersanov-Tsaroyev had previously been convicted by two courts in Ingushetia "for committing a number of crimes for which he had not served his sentence."

"By partially attaching the unserved portion of his previous sentence, Bersanov-Tsaroyev was sentenced to a final sentence of imprisonment for 5 years and 1 month in a general regime penal colony," the statement reads.

The court's press service did not provide the defendant's name. According to the case file on the court's website, the defendant is Akromat Bersanov-Tsaroyev. The file was updated on October 18. It states that the case was transferred to the judge on October 6, and a verdict was rendered at the first hearing on October 15.

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 military court in Maykop, having sentenced mobilized Vladimir Litenkov to five years in prison for leaving his unit without permission in June 2023, emphasized that "a partial mobilization has been declared in the Russian Federation, which was not completed at the time Litenkov committed the crime."