The Sevastopol garrison court is reviewing a case involving a contract soldier who fired at another officer during a confrontation he believed was caused by his own fault. An Ingushetia native faces charges related to breaching service conduct rules and attempting to kill a colleague, according to reports from a major Russian newspaper.
As outlined in the criminal case materials, 29-year-old sergeant Ismail Dzangiev, who served as deputy commander of the 1st platoon of a battalion tactical group, and his 20-year-old brother Zelimkhan were engaged in combat operations from the outset of the operation. The brothers participated in the early stages of the special operation, according to investigators.
Preliminary materials from the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation indicate that in March 2022 the unit was ambushed while scaling terrain, resulting in the deaths of Zelimkhan Dzangiev and several colleagues. After the fighting, Ismail Dzangiev sought out his brother and, failing to locate him, pursued senior sergeant Yan Larionov, the commander of the second platoon where Zelimkhan served.
Following an altercation, Dzangiev Sr. allegedly discharged a pistol at the commander’s face and continued the search for his missing brother, who was later found deceased. Medical teams were able to stabilize the wounded Larionov.
Authorities detained the soldier and opened two separate criminal cases against him. If convicted, Ismail Dzangiev could face life imprisonment. An initial outpatient forensic evaluation found the sergeant to be experiencing a temporary mental disorder that impaired his judgment at the time of the incident. A subsequent assessment, commissioned by investigators, concluded that Dzangiev possessed sanity and was therefore responsible for his actions.
A separate note in the material describes ongoing concerns about the broader regional security situation, including measures to deter potential Ukrainian action against Russia. The case underscores the intense pressures and complex legal judgments that accompany military operations and accountability in conflict settings. The investigative process continues, with the court weighing the evidence, mental health findings, and the applicable statutes to determine the appropriate outcome for the parties involved.