A soldier in Kabardino-Balkaria was convicted of leaving his unit twice.

A military court in Nalchik sentenced Anzor Kulimov to six years in prison, 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 added to the Russian Criminal Code. The amendments provide for imprisonment for up to 10 years. Tightening of legislation after the announcement of mobilization led to harsher sentences for absence from a military unit or desertion.

Serviceman Kulimov was found guilty under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation 1 , the Nalchik Garrison Military Court reported on its VKontakte page.

According to the court, Kulimov twice left his duty station without good reason on May 3 and July 23, 2025, during the mobilization period.

In the first case, Kulimov was found by representatives of a military unit in Nalchik on June 10, and in the second, on October 20, he was found in Nalchik by military commandant's office employees. Moreover, from May 3 to June 10 and from July 23 to October 20, Kulimov spent time at his own discretion at home, the court found.

The defendant fully admitted guilt in the crimes. The court sentenced Kulimov to six years' imprisonment in a general regime penal colony.

Anzor Kulimov's case was filed with the court on January 13, and the verdict was handed down on January 20, according to the case file on the court's website.

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 was issued. 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."