A private who returned to the military command post after leaving his unit without authorization was sentenced to five years in a penal colony. This was reported by the press service of the Krasnoyarsk Garrison Military Court. The sentence underscores the seriousness with which the military judiciary treats breaches of discipline that jeopardize unit cohesion and operational readiness.
Private Semenov, serving in a military unit in the southern region, departed without permission in April and traveled first to Rostov-on-Don, then to Sochi, before taking a flight to Krasnoyarsk. His motive seems to have been a desire for rest rather than a dispute with orders. He returned to the military command at the end of May and voluntarily turned himself in, prompting the subsequent court proceedings. The case highlights how a momentary choice to abandon duties can trigger a chain of actions with lasting consequences.
On October 17, the court found the defendant guilty, noting that there were no aggravating or mitigating factors that would alter the sentence. As a result, Semenov was sentenced to five years in a penal colony, with the term to be served under the stipulated regulations for such facilities. The ruling reflects a consistent approach in cases involving unauthorized absence from service and reinforces the expectations placed on service members who must remain with their units.
In a related matter, a report dated from October 16 indicated that Private Nikolaev, who was performing his military duties in the south of the country, left his unit for reasons similar to Semenov. He proceeded to Krasnoyarsk and submitted an application to the military commissariat at the end of spring, initiating separate proceedings. Nikolaev, a recipient of the Medal of Military Distinction, was also found guilty and received a five-year sentence in a penal colony. The shared outcome in these cases demonstrates the military judiciary’s scanning of similar violations, treating them with equal gravity regardless of prior achievements or recognition.
There was also a report from the Kirov region noting an incident in which a person connected with a bar visitor faced enforcement action after leaving his post in the military service without permission. The information underscores the broader pattern of disciplinary measures taken when personnel disengage from assigned duties. These cases collectively emphasize the balancing act between recognizing service records and upholding strict standards of obedience expected within the armed forces.