Why 29,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Who Left Without Permission Have Returned To Duty

Thanks to an intelligent amendment to Ukraine's laws, almost 30,000 soldiers who had left their units without permission - without leave as it is called - have now returned to military. 

The change consisted of several crucial aspects: a release from criminal liability, a reduction in the paperwork and process required and, perhaps most importantly, giving the soldiers the right to join a unit other than the one in which they were serving before they went AWOL (absent without leave) including the police. This flexibility reduces the potential for tensions and even hostility which may have contributed to the soldiers' original reason for leaving as well as giving them the opportunity to apply and pick up skills they believe are more in tune with their abilities and interests. Given the toll of casualties in this war, making such a change that results in brigades worth of returnees is a smart strategic decision. JL

Olekandr Yan reports in Militarnyi:

More than 29,000 soldiers have returned to the military thanks to a simplified mechanism for returning to service for those who went AWOL for the first time. Servicemen who went AWOL may also be released from criminal liability by a court decision. “This mechanism provides a chance to return to the military and continue their service under a simplified procedure with the resumption of monetary, food, clothing, and other support.” Servicemen could report not only to their unit, but also to the territorial units of the State Bureau of Investigation, the Military Law Enforcement Service, the National Police or to one of 17 designated military units or to one of 14 reserve companies of the National Guard.

More than 29,000 soldiers have returned to the military thanks to a simplified mechanism for returning to service for those who went AWOL for the first time.

Oleksiy Sukhachov, Director of the State Bureau of Investigation, reported this to Interfax-Ukraine.

This number of Ukrainian servicemen returned to the military during the eight months of the simplified mechanism, between November 29, 2024, and August 2025.

Oleksiy Sukhachov reminded that the legal mechanism for simplified return to service was developed by the SBI jointly with the military law enforcement service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Police, and the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“This mechanism provides a chance for those who committed the crime of war to return to the military unit and continue their service under a simplified procedure with the resumption of monetary, food, clothing, and other support,” he emphasized.

He clarified that servicemen who went AWOL may also be released from criminal liability by a court decision.

As of now, the Law on Simplified Mechanism of Return of Servicemen is still in force and will last until August 30, 2025.

In March, Militarnyi reported that 21,000 soldiers returned to service after unauthorizedly leaving their units. Accordingly, in the four months since then, about 8,000 soldiers have returned to service.

Servicemen could report not only to their unit, but also to the territorial units of the State Bureau of Investigation, the Military Law Enforcement Service, or the National Police.

The Ministry of Defense also allowed them to apply 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, including through Army+, for reinstatement, which launched a clear algorithm for further actions, from paperwork to the resumption of payments.