Ministry of Defense clarifies rules for return after AWOL: merely arriving at the unit is not enough

Merely returning to the unit after unauthorized absence (AWOL) is not enough for automatic reinstatement of service if it was previously suspended. A corresponding decision and order from the authorized commander is required.

On September 16, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced this, clarifying the procedure for military personnel returning after AWOL.

The Ministry of Defense explained: if a particular servicemember's military service was suspended, until an order is issued to resume it, they cannot be assigned to perform official duties or combat tasks.

Until reinstatement, such servicemembers are released from their positions, do not perform military service duties, and are not included in the strength of the Armed Forces or other military formation.

After returning to the military unit, service must be officially resumed in the established order. Only after the corresponding order can the servicemember be engaged in duties, and their pay, benefits, and social guarantees provided by law be restored.

The Ministry of Defense and the General Staff stated that they have strengthened control over compliance with this procedure.

The procedure for issuing such decisions is defined by the Instruction on Military Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In particular, the resumption of service for servicemembers whose service was suspended after AWOL is formalized by orders for personnel and unit.

At the same time, this procedure applies specifically to military personnel whose service was suspended. Under current rules during martial law, for new cases of AWOL, military service is generally not suspended. For servicemembers with previously suspended service, separate rules for its official resumption apply.

Separately, in September, the Ministry of Defense reminded about the simplified return mechanism for servicemembers of the Armed Forces, National Guard, and State Special Transport Service whose AWOL was recorded before June 12, 2026 inclusive. A report under this procedure can be submitted until September 20.

Based on materials from: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ministry of Defense explanations on return after AWOL, legislation of Ukraine