Kuzminykh and his defense lawyer once again failed to appear at the hearing on August 19, 2026. That morning, the court received a motion from the lawyer to adjourn and to recognize the reasons for the absence as valid. The stated reason was a sharp deterioration in Kuzminykh's health and his subsequent hospitalization, which he had reported to his lawyer the previous evening.

The prosecutor saw no grounds for adjournment and moved instead for a compelled-appearance order against the defendant and for his participation in the hearing via video link. He argued that the motion contained no information on the severity of the defendant's illness. The prosecutor also asked that the broadcast of the hearing be stopped so as not to infringe on Kuzminykh's honor and dignity, since his condition was unknown.

After deliberating, the court found the lawyer's reason for absence invalid and ordered Kuzminykh's compelled appearance via video link or by other technical means. It noted that the order is not to be carried out if doing so would endanger Kuzminykh's life or health.

Kuzminykh is accused of trading in influence. The statute of limitations in the case expires in January 2027. The proceedings are constantly dragged out: unfounded recusal motions, the defense lawyer's “coincidental” hearings in other courts on the same dates, last-minute adjournment motions, and no-shows by the defendant or his lawyer.