Prison colony instead of the front: contract soldier in Chechnya sentenced to 2.5 years for refusing to return to the war

The Grozny Garrison Military Court sentenced contract soldier Tamerlan Dudaev to two and a half years in a penal settlement for refusing to return to the war against Ukraine. The Southern District Military Court upheld the sentence.

According to the investigation, the sergeant refused to carry out a commander's order to deploy to the "special military operation" zone. Dudaev had been serving under contract since October 2023; he had been wounded and awarded the Medal "For Bravery" (2nd Class).

Dudaev did not admit guilt. In court, he stated that he could not return to the front due to his health. He claimed that doctors had recommended elective surgery and that an independent military medical assessment in the autumn of 2025 had deemed him temporarily unfit for service.

Furthermore, Dudaev argued that the testimony of certain witnesses matched almost word-for-word and contained "identical, verbatim-copied, multi-page paragraphs of text." On these grounds, he requested that the conviction be overturned.

The appellate court rejected these arguments. The ruling states that military medical commissions had twice—in July 2025 and February 2026—deemed Dudaev fit for service. The court ruled that the conclusion by independent specialists, cited by the defense, had been obtained in violation of established procedure.

Последние новости
The peak of the Perseid meteor shower is expected over Chechnya on the night of August 13
Ecology
The peak of the Perseid meteor shower is expected over Chechnya on the night of August 13
12 August 2026

On the night of August 12–13, residents of Chechnya will be able to witness the peak of the Perseid meteor shower—one of the year's most famous celestial displays. Viewing conditions are particularly favorable this year: the peak coincides with the new moon, meaning bright moonlight won't interfere with spotting the meteors.
Russia Prosecutes Four Crimean Tatar Women in Hizb ut-Tahrir Case — USCIRF
Human rights
Russia Prosecutes Four Crimean Tatar Women in Hizb ut-Tahrir Case — USCIRF
12 August 2026

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported on four Crimean Tatar women facing prosecution by Russian security forces in occupied Crimea in connection with the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. The women are Esma Nimetullayeva, Nasiba Saidova, Elviza Aliyeva, and Fevziye Osmanova. This was reported by the media outlet ZMINA.
Georgian authorities have stated that Russia began the war on August 8, not August 7. The opposition calls this a Kremlin narrative
Politics
Georgian authorities have stated that Russia began the war on August 8, not August 7. The opposition calls this a Kremlin narrative
12 August 2026

Mamuka Mdinaradze, a Georgian minister, stated that the 2008 Russo-Georgian war began on August 8, not August 7. According to him, it was on the 8th that regular Russian troops invaded Georgia. Previously, representatives of the Georgian authorities had placed the blame for the start of the war not on Russia, but on the government of then-President Mikheil Saakashvili—which they term a "criminal regime."
Azerbaijan says its side of infrastructure for Trump Route is largely complete
Economy
Azerbaijan says its side of infrastructure for Trump Route is largely complete
11 August 2026

Azerbaijan has largely completed construction of the road and rail infrastructure that is expected to connect with the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) in Armenia, according to a joint statement by the United States, Azerbaijan and Armenia issued to mark the anniversary of their trilateral summit in Washington.