Court overturns verdict of Nalchik soldier convicted of intentionally blowing himself up with mines

The Kabarda–Balkaria court has reversed a previous decision regarding a nalchik soldier, Nikolai Khozumov. A military court initially sentenced him to ten years in a penal colony for fraud and evading military service through simulated illness. Investigations revealed Khozumov repeatedly detonated mines to inflict self-harm, seeking financial compensation for purported injuries.

The appellate court, announcing the reversal on November 12, 2025, cited procedural violations, specifically the denial of his right to represent himself with a lawyer of his choosing. Khozumov has been returned to pre-trial detention, awaiting a new trial. Investigators believe he acted as part of a group to fabricate combat injuries, carrying out four self-inflicted mine explosions between November 14, 2023, and March 8, 2024, to create the impression of injury.

These incidents occurred while he sought medical assistance and obtained documents justifying compensation payments for wounded military personnel, totaling approximately ₽13 million ($150,000). Furthermore, the initial court established that Khozumov, while in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Donetsk, used improvised explosive devices on six occasions, seeking medical attention and subsequent compensation. The court ordered Khozumov to pay ₽12 million ($140,000) to the Russian Ministry of Defence and ₽1 million ($12,000) to a military hospital.

The appellate court overturned the original verdict due to a violation of his right to defence, rejecting a request to postpone the hearing despite his lawyer’s unavailability. The court maintained pre-trial detention, dismissing arguments about insufficient evidence and Khozumov’s background. Records show Khozumov previously resided in Khanty-Mansiysk and worked as an actor.

This court decision highlights concerns about procedural fairness in the case.

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