Fighters of the National Guard who once left their units now have a chance to return to their brothers-in-arms without trial and unnecessary paperwork. The 1st Corps of the NGU "Azov", which includes the legendary Volyn unit — the 20th Operational Purpose Brigade "Liubart", has joined the official simplified reinstatement program, reports UNN.
The command emphasizes: no one blames or condemns the soldiers for this step. Everyone understands that circumstances vary, and psychological or physical burnout is a harsh reality of war. Now the main thing is not past mistakes, but the readiness to continue defending the country.
The state initiative provides a real opportunity to return from AWOL absolutely legally. You can take advantage of this chance and undergo reinstatement from AWOL without court hearings only within a clearly defined period — from June 12 to September 20, 2026. You can submit an application and arrange reinstatement to service under simplified rules and without legal consequences only during these few months — outside the specified period, returning to the ranks of the Defense Forces will be possible only through lengthy court proceedings.
Not a formality, but a conscious selection: principles of the "Liubart" brigade
At the same time, the unit emphasizes that reinstatement after unauthorized absence from a unit is considered exclusively on an individual basis — "Liubart", as part of the Azov family, does not take just anyone into its ranks. Each case is carefully analyzed, and a decision is made after a comprehensive study of the reasons for AWOL.
The key criteria for successful reinstatement are:
- Internal motivation and a sincere desire of the person to continue serving and return to performing their duties.
- Previous combat experience, the fighter's professional skills, as well as their reputation during previous service;
In the 1st Corps "Azov" and the "Liubart" brigade, in particular, special attention is paid to trust within the team. Returning implies a readiness to accept the strict rules of the unit, its standards, and to work in a team on par with other fighters.