Rada extends deadline for voluntary return to service after AWOL
The Verkhovna Rada has decided to extend the deadline for voluntary return to service for military personnel who have left their units without permission until 1 March 2025.
This was reported by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Vereshchuk on her telegram channel, Censor.NET reports.
The bill was voted in favour by 298 MPs, with 21 abstentions.
Returning to service after AWOL
On 28 November, President Zelenskyy signed a law allowing those who committed AWOL or deserted for the first time to return to service voluntarily and without punishment.
According to the law, criminal proceedings initiated in relation to criminal offences under Articles 407 and 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine against servicemen who first left military units or places of service without permission or deserted and voluntarily arrived and expressed their readiness to continue military service are not grounds for refusing to extend the military service of such servicemen and the validity of their contract.
It was also reported that military personnel who voluntarily return to service before 1 January 2025 will be reinstated with all social guarantees.
As a reminder, Iryna Vereshchuk recently noted that the term for voluntary return to service after unauthorised abandonment of a unit (AWOL) may be extended.
