Thousands of soldiers returned to the Armed Forces after AWOL: Ministry of Defense summed up the program
In Ukraine, thousands of servicemen have returned to service after unauthorized absence (AWOL) thanks to a simplified program that ran until September 20, 2026. According to the Ministry of Defense, the number of returnees is comparable to the personnel of two to three brigades.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this on October 8, summarizing the program of voluntary return of servicemen.
According to the ministry, a significant part of the returned military personnel took combat positions. These are servicemen who already have service experience and the skills needed by the units.
All returnees restored their monetary and other types of support and continued to perform their service tasks.
However, the exact number of servicemen who used the program was not disclosed by the Ministry of Defense, limited to a comparison with the strength of two to three brigades.
Which units accepted the most servicemen
The Ministry of Defense named five units where the largest number of actual returns after AWOL were recorded:
- 20th separate brigade of unmanned systems K-2;
- 53rd separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Volodymyr Monomakh;
- 3rd separate assault brigade;
- 63rd separate mechanized brigade;
- 429th separate brigade of unmanned systems "Achilles".
Separately, the ministry noted the units of the National Guard of Ukraine — the 13th brigade "Khartia" and the 12th special purpose brigade "Azov".
The Ministry of Defense positively assessed the results of the program, although they admitted that they expected to return even more servicemen to service.
How the return program after AWOL worked
The simplified mechanism was applied to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and the State Special Transport Service, whose unauthorized absence was recorded before June 12, 2026 inclusive.
The main feature of the program was the ability to independently choose a new military unit from the approved list. At the same time, the serviceman had to remain within his structure: from the Armed Forces it was possible to return to a unit of the Armed Forces, from the National Guard — to a unit of the NGU.
It was allowed to submit a report through the "Army+" application, recruiting centers or directly to the chosen military unit — depending on the structure in which the serviceman served.
After the approval of the report and official enrollment in the unit, monetary support and other guarantees provided by law were restored.
The last day for submitting reports under the simplified procedure was September 20, 2026. After this date, the special program ceased to operate.
Is it possible to return after AWOL now
Despite the completion of the simplified program, servicemen can still voluntarily return to service. However, now the general procedure is applied, which provides for an appeal to the Military Law Enforcement Service (VSP) and passing the necessary procedures through reserve battalions.
It is no longer possible to independently choose a unit under the previous rules. However, when distributing servicemen, recommendation letters from combat brigades in need of reinforcement may be taken into account.
In addition, the general procedure may require more time for processing the return and restoring monetary support.
For servicemen who committed AWOL for the first time during martial law, the legislation provides for the possibility of exemption from criminal liability. However, such a decision is made by a court subject to the conditions established by law.
The Ministry of Defense also reminds that the actual arrival at a military unit does not always mean automatic resumption of service. If its passage was previously suspended, an appropriate decision and order of the authorized commander is required.
Detailed explanations about returning after AWOL are available on the official website of the Ministry of Defense. You can also get a consultation by the hotline of the department 1519.
Based on materials: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, clarification of the Ministry of Defense on return after September 20, rules of the simplified program.
