The court in Nalchik sentenced the soldier for leaving the unit.

Viktor Dudnik was sentenced by a military court in Nalchik to five years for a two-month absence from his unit.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 24, 2022, parts 2.1, 3.1, and 5 of Article 337 on the unauthorized leaving of a unit or place of service during mobilization were introduced into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. The tightening of legislation after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from military units or desertion.

On August 6, the Nalchik garrison military court issued a sentence to Viktor Dudnik, who had been absent from service for more than two months, the court's press service reported.

Viktor Dudnik did not report for duty at the military unit on April 16, 2026, "during the mobilization". On June 19, 2026, Dudnik was found by a law enforcement officer in the Prokhladnensky District of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, and from April 16 to June 19, 2026, Dudnik spent his time at his place of residence at his discretion.

The message states that Dudnik "realized the illegality of his actions, truthfully described them, and expressed regret for what he had done." At the same time, "the court took into account ... the nature and degree of public danger of the actions committed by the defendant, who committed a serious crime against military service, negatively affecting the fulfillment of the daily tasks of combat training set before the military unit."

He was sentenced to five years in a penal colony, according to the court's press service.