A soldier was convicted in Nalchik for failing to report to his unit.

The court sentenced Islam Eleskhanov to six 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 Eleskhanov was found guilty on March 17 under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code (which carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison), the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Eleskhanov failed to report for duty at his military unit at the appointed time on April 8, 2025, "during the mobilization period," without good reason.

"On January 13, 2026, Eleskhanov was found by police officers in Mozdok, and from April 8, 2025, to January 13, 2026, "Eleskhanov spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence," the publication stated.

The defendant fully admitted his guilt "and expressed regret for his actions." Furthermore, the court found that Eleskhanov was found guilty by the Novocherkassk Garrison Military Court of abuse of office 1 and sentenced to three years and three months' probation.

"Therefore, the defendant has been sentenced to a combined sentence of six years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony," the court stated.

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 Islam Eleskhanov. The case was submitted to court on March 6, and a verdict was rendered at the very first hearing.

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

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."