Russia’s Supreme Court has overturned earlier rulings in the case of Nikolay Boldov, a five-time world champion in air-gun shooting. The case involving the confiscation of four air rifles and 30 boxes of ammunition will be reheard by the Moscow City Court.
The Supreme Court partially upheld Boldov’s appeal. As part of its decision, it annulled the ruling issued by a Moscow City Court judge on August 19, 2025, and the ruling issued by a judge of the Second General Jurisdiction Court of Appeal on November 17, 2025.
Customs inspection conducted at Vnukovo
Boldov landed at Vnukovo Airport on October 1, 2023, while returning to Moscow from an international competition in the United States. His luggage contained used sporting air rifles that he was carrying for personal use and participation in competitions.
The athlete initially went through the red customs channel and asked how he should declare the rifles. After a customs officer told him that a declaration was not required, Boldov proceeded to the green channel, where customs officials stopped him.
The officials seized four air rifles and 30 boxes of ammunition. An expert examination determined that the items had a total value of slightly more than 921,000 rubles at the time.
Confiscation upheld by the courts
After the administrative investigation was completed, a Vnukovo Customs official drew up a report against Boldov on December 13, 2024. The proceedings were based on the alleged failure to declare the goods under paragraph 1 of Article 16.2 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses.
The court of first instance ordered the confiscation of the rifles and ammunition in the administrative-offense case. The appeal and cassation courts upheld the decision.
Hearing scheduled for October 1
Under the Supreme Court’s ruling, the case was sent back to the Moscow City Court. The hearing is expected to take place on October 1.
Boldov is a 2025 world champion and world-record holder in air-gun shooting. He has also won the Russian championship eight times.
