Military personnel who have voluntarily left their service location for the first time have until January 1, 2025, to return without facing criminal liability. This provision is outlined in the new law.
This was announced by Tatiana Sapyian, advisor to the director of the State Bureau of Investigations for communications, during a telethon on Friday, November 29.
Since the beginning of the year, the army has recorded 100,000 to 150,000 cases of unauthorized absence and desertion – BBCFrom January to October, approximately 100,000 to 150,000 cases of unauthorized absence and desertion were recorded, according to BBC sources in the General Staff.“If you went AWOL as a serviceman, you have the opportunity to return to your military unit from the end of November until January 1 of the new year, which is a month. After you return to your place of service, the commander has 72 hours to extend your contract or reinstate you in service,” she explained.
According to Sapyian, the new law also reinstates monetary, food, and supply allowances, as well as benefits and social guarantees.
When a serviceman returns to his military unit, he is required to notify the pre-trial investigation body or the military law enforcement service.
As a reminder, on November 21, The Verkhovna Rada removed criminal liability for the first unauthorized departure from a military unit or desertion (if the serviceman returns on his own and the commander allows him to continue service).
On November 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law regarding returning to service after the first instance of AWOL or desertion. Previously, the president commented on cases of AWOL in the army.