A serviceman was convicted in Nalchik for being absent from his unit.

A court in Nalchik sentenced Savarbek Kartoyev to five years in prison, finding him guilty of evading military service during mobilization.

As reported by "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 and desertion.

08:14 28.03.2026

The case of a contract soldier from Vladikavkaz highlights the problem of violations of military personnel's rights

A Vladikavkaz resident held a picket to demand that the sentence for leaving her son's unit, who was deemed fit for service despite a spinal injury sustained at the training ground, be overturned. Human rights activists called the practice of returning soldiers to active duty without proper medical treatment systemic.

A soldier named Kartoyev was found guilty under Part 5 of Article 337 of the Russian Criminal Code, the Nalchik Garrison Military Court announced on its VKontakte page. According to the court, Kartoyev failed to report for duty at his military unit in the Rostov Region on July 15, 2025, "that is, during the mobilization period," without good reason.

On November 21, 2025, Kartoyev voluntarily reported to the administration of the village of Srednie Achaluki in the Malgobek District of Ingushetia. "From July 15, 2025, to November 21, 2025, he spent his time at his own discretion at his place of residence," the publication states.

In court, Kartoyev fully admitted his guilt and "expressed regret for his actions." The court sentenced Kartoyev to five years in prison, to be served in a general regime penal colony.

The court's press service did not provide the name of the convicted man. According to the case file on the court's website, the defendant is Savarbek Kartoyev. The case was submitted to the court for consideration on April 3, and the verdict was handed down on April 14 by Judge Pyatov.

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 concluded that a presidential decree is not required to complete partial mobilization, Putin's press secretary explained.

Moreover, on December 12, 2023, the Maykop Military Court, in its verdict for a mobilized soldier who left his unit in June 2023, emphasized that "partial mobilization was declared in the Russian Federation, which was not completed at the time the crime was committed, ."