A Kabardino-Balkarian resident was fined for his comments on Telegram.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Kirill Kotlyarov to a fine of 30,000 rubles, deeming his comments on Telegram to be discrediting the army.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," liability for discrediting the armed forces was introduced on March 4, 2022. Since then, residents of Russia, including those in the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts, have been subject to prosecution under Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. It provides for a fine of 30,000 to 100,000 rubles for citizens, and repeat violations within a year result in criminal prosecution.

A court in Nalchik fined Kirill K., a resident of Kabardino-Balkaria, 30,000 rubles, finding him guilty of discrediting the army, the newspaper "Gazeta Yuga" reported today.

According to the court's ruling, the accused posted comments on Telegram "with the purpose of discrediting the use of the Armed Forces." In court, the man admitted his guilt and expressed remorse. The court considered this a mitigating circumstance, the publication writes.

As indicated in the case file on the Nalchik City Court website, the defendant, Kirill Kotlyarov, was charged under Part 1 of Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which provides for a fine of 30,000 to 50,000 rubles.

"At the court hearing, FULL NAME2 [the accused] admitted guilt in committing an administrative offense and demonstrated that he repents of his actions and will not commit further violations. [...] The court considers the admission of guilt and remorse for the actions as a mitigating circumstance. The court does not find any aggravating circumstances in the case," states an anonymized copy of the court ruling published in the case file.

As a reminder, in March 2022, after the start of the Russian operation in Ukraine, the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation was supplemented with Article 207.3, which provides for punishment for fake news about the Russian army.

At the end of 2025, a court in Cherkessk sentenced lawyer and activist Ramazan Mkhtse in absentia to eight years in prison, finding him guilty of disseminating false information about the Russian military.

This article of the Russian Criminal Code contradicts the Constitution, as well as basic principles of law, human rights activists stated. "The wording of the article does not allow us to determine in advance which statements are lawful and which are prohibited. A citizen cannot know in advance which statements or information may be considered false in this context," they emphasized.