The law on the Special Forces helped return more than 21 thousand soldiers to the army
4 March 2025 08:49
Between November 29, 2024, and March 1, 2025, almost 21,100 servicemen who had left their units without permission for the first time returned to service. This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation, according to
The SBI recalled that on March 1, 2025, the deadline for the rapid return to service of military personnel who had left their military unit or place of service without permission expired. This opportunity appeared several months ago after the relevant amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” were made.
It is reported that most of the soldiers returned to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the military actively returned to the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service.
The SBI emphasized that due to the development of a clear procedure for returning, the military could come not only to their unit, but also to the territorial units of the SBI, the Military Law Enforcement Service or the National Police. The Ministry of Defense also allowed them to report to one of 17 designated military units or to one of 14 reserve companies of the National Guard.
Upon arrival at the unit, the serviceman had to submit a report on reinstatement, which launched a clear algorithm of further actions – from paperwork to the resumption of payments.
How to return to service now
After March 1, 2025, servicemen who have left the unit without permission will also have to return to service, but the mechanism for their legalization in the unit will be slightly different.
The SBI presented three procedures for returning after an unauthorized leave of absence: if the AWOL is less than 3 days, if the AWOL is more than 3 days but happens for the first time, and if it is more than 3 days and the AWOL is repeated.
As a reminder, at the end of November 2024, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law that allowed servicemen who went on AWOL for the first time to return to service without being prosecuted. The soldiers had to do so by January 1, 2025.
In early January, this deadline was extended for another two months – until March 1. At the same time, MPs warned that there would be no further extension of the law.
