Military personnel who went AWOL can return to service from abroad under a simplified procedure — Ministry of Defence
Kyiv • UNN
Military personnel who went AWOL before June 12, 2026, can return under a simplified program. More than 70 units are available.
Ukrainian servicemembers who committed an unauthorized absence from their unit while abroad may use a simplified procedure for returning to service. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine explains what needs to be done, UNN writes.
A servicemember’s departure abroad and the legal consequences of failing to return
As noted, servicemembers may travel abroad during the period of martial law, for example, for medical treatment, education, a business trip, or another properly documented reason.
However, this does not exempt them from liability for an unauthorized absence committed abroad. Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for liability for the unauthorized departure from a military unit or place of service by a conscript, as well as for failing to report for service on time without valid reasons upon dismissal from the unit.
Therefore, what matters is not the country where the servicemember is staying, but their legal status, as well as the established deadline for returning and the reasons for failing to arrive.
How a servicemember absent without authorization abroad can return to service
The Ministry of Defense said that servicemembers who committed an unauthorized absence, including abroad, by June 12, 2026, inclusive, may use the simplified program for returning to the military. It is in effect until September 20 of this year and allows them to independently choose a new military unit from a list of more than 70 units within their structure.
To do this, a servicemember absent without authorization abroad must submit a report through the "Army+" application.
Representatives of the selected unit verify the information and contact the servicemember to clarify the details of their service.
For the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service, the report is considered within up to seven days; for the National Guard of Ukraine, within up to four days. After the report is approved, the "On the way" status appears in "Army+", confirming the return to the place of service under the approved report.
It is emphasized that a servicemember absent without authorization abroad must still physically arrive at the selected unit—within five days. Therefore, the report is the beginning of the return procedure, not a remote "reinstatement in service."
Likewise, approval of the report is not a separate permit to cross the state border and does not automatically terminate criminal proceedings or possible procedural measures.
Regardless of whether the servicemember has "Army+", an appropriate document—a passport for travel abroad—is required to cross the border. If they do not have one, they can contact the embassy.
If the police, a Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center, or the Military Law and Order Service nevertheless stops the servicemember on the way to the unit, the "On the way" status serves as confirmation of voluntary return through "Army+". In the event of detention, we recommend calling the hotline at 1519.
After returning and being added to the personnel lists, the servicemember’s monetary, food, and other forms of support are restored.