The Verkhovna Rada has supported the extension of the period for voluntary return from unauthorized absence (AWOL) until March 1, 2025.
As reported by MP Solomiya Bobrovska, this provision is included in bill No. 12076.
How many cases of desertion and AWOL reach the courts – data from OpendatabotThis year, only 1.3% of desertion cases from the army and 7% of AWOL cases have reached the courts.“The Verkhovna Rada has extended the right to ‘quick return’ effectively without consequences for those who commit AWOL, allowing them to return to military service from January 1 to March 1, 2025. The commander will still have 3 days to reinstate them, as was the case in the previous 2 months. However, for those who think there will be another extension of the bill, that will not happen,” she wrote.
Bobrovska also suggests the possibility of reinstating criminal penalties for the first instance of AWOL.
Recall that the law on voluntary return to service after the first AWOL or desertion was adopted by the Rada on November 21. It stipulates that for military personnel who return within 72 hours, their service and contract continue. Additionally, monetary, logistical, and other types of support, benefits, and social guarantees are reinstated.
The "Army+" app has introduced a report for returning to service after the first AWOL.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on cases of AWOL in the army.
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