Russian military courts are experiencing a surge in cases of soldiers fleeing war, with over 800 court decisions under Articles 337, 338, and 339 of the Criminal Code since 2022. The northern regions, particularly those with military bases, are seeing a significant increase in military personnel fleeing, hiding, and faking illness.
The number of verdicts issued by military courts in northern Russia has risen sharply, with the Murmansk Region being the most affected, having six garrison military courts operating simultaneously. The total number of documented cases of refusal to serve in 2024 amounted to 50,554, with most cases initiated in the Southern Military District.