Unauthorized departure from a designated place of service during a special military operation in Ukraine has been associated with substantial penalties, including an average sentence of six years in a general regime penal colony. This information was reported by the Telegram channel St. Unified press service of St. Petersburg courts. The figures underscore how seriously such actions are treated within the military justice system and reflect a trend toward firm enforcement of disciplinary rules during active operations.
According to 2023 statistics, the city’s garrison military courts issued 108 convictions for the offense of leaving a military unit without permission or attempting to evade military duties temporarily. All individuals convicted in these cases were subjected to criminal liability, illustrating the judiciary’s strict stance on unauthorized absence during critical deployments. In a broader sense, the legal framework aims to deter actions that could compromise unit cohesion, mission readiness, and the safety of personnel operating under demanding and volatile conditions.
Further details from the report indicate that in 2023, the St. Petersburg Garrison Military Court received 102 cases involving personnel who left their units without authorization or tried to sidestep duties in the Northern Military District. This volume highlights the ongoing emphasis by the military judicial authorities on promptly addressing breaches of duty and upholding the integrity of service obligations during periods of heightened operational risk.
Concerning outcomes, convictions were announced in 85 of these cases, with 69 of the resulting judgments entering legal force. The press service noted that eight court decisions were appealed, and three decisions were appealed on appeal, signaling the common appellate process where defendants seek to challenge or modify initial rulings while the majority of outcomes remain firmly in force.
In the 224th Garrison Military Court, 23 similar cases were reviewed last year. All of the court’s decisions have entered into legal force so far, though in two instances the defendants are attempting to challenge these decisions at the appeal stage. This pattern reflects a disciplined appellate environment in which judicial oversight continues to review, but not necessarily overturn, initial findings in cases involving unauthorized departure from service during active operations.
Officials stressed that there was no acquittal during the period in question. In most instances, defendants admitted either the crime in full or in part, according to statements from court representatives. This admission pattern aligns with the legal framework’s emphasis on accountability and the seriousness with which military authorities approach breaches of duty occurring in the context of ongoing operations and risk-laden environments.
Alexander Bastrykin, formerly chairman of the RF Investigation Committee, has been cited in discussions about the scope of terrorism-related cases filed in Russian courts in 2023, a broader context that informs how authorities categorize and pursue offenses tied to security and public safety. The reference to these broader inquiries underscores the gravity with which Russian legal institutions treat acts that could threaten national security or the stability of military operations.