A Russian court has for the first time sentenced a woman to prison for failing to report for active duty following the Kremlin's call-up of reserves last year.
Whether Corporal Madina Kabaloyeva from the impoverished Caucasus region of Kabardino-Balkaria will actually see time behind bars is another thing.
Kabaloyeva was sentenced to six years in prison for failing to report without a valid reason, Kommersant reported, citing the local court.
However, as she has a 5-year old child, the start of her sentence was postponed until 2032. The sentence may be intended as a warning to both men and women who are called up.
Kabaloyeva, a reservist, told the court that she did not report for duty following her call-up because she was pregnant.
She said military doctors recommended she temporarily leave the service and she thought they had informed her commanders.
Prosecutors said that since Kabaloyeva continued to receive military allowances and benefits, she hadn't actually left the service and should have shown up.
The penalty for such an offense is seven to 10 years.
Kabaloyeva's lawyer said she will appeal the ruling.
Russia Sentences First Woman For Skipping Mobilization Call-Up
Russian servicewomen take part in a military parade in Moscow (file photo)