The Novorossiysk garrison court found contract soldier Andrey Krokhalev from the Krasnodar region guilty of forgery and destruction of property: he threw 52 hand grenades into the forest to avoid processing documents for their delivery to the warehouse. The ammunition was found and taken by local residents. Taking into account the previous sentence, Krokhalev was sentenced to six years in a penal colony, writes «Kavkaz.Realii»*.
According to the court's verdict, the soldier forged the signatures of fellow soldiers who allegedly received grenades from him. The ammunition was found by local residents: they testified in court that some of the grenades were re-hidden in the forest, and another 32 were taken with them and distributed to acquaintances. The fuses were removed from the grenades.
At the trial, Krokhalev pleaded guilty and stated that he wanted to continue his service. The court cited participation in the war against Ukraine and the awarding of a departmental medal «For Combat Distinction» as mitigating circumstances.
In March 2023, the Tomsk garrison court sentenced Krokhalev to five and a half years probation for unauthorized absence from the unit. The new sentence, taking into account the unserved part of the previous punishment, amounted to six years in a general regime penal colony.
* Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent» and «undesirable» organization.