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AWOL

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This article delves into recent developments concerning AWOL (Absent Without Leave) in Ukraine's armed forces. Dmytro Riumshyn, former commander of the 155th Brigade, highlights the lack of motivation and vague service terms as key factors for soldiers going AWOL during training abroad and in Ukraine. His case underscores systemic issues, as he's charged with covering up 630 AWOL instances without interrogating any deserters. Meanwhile, authorities disrupt corruption schemes linked to AWOL, like bribes accepted by officers to conceal unauthorized exits. The Verkhovna Rada debates draft laws increasing AWOL penalties, drawing protests from human rights advocates. With over 250,000 cases recorded amid the ongoing war, Ukraine's leadership must balance between enforcing discipline and addressing the root causes of AWOL.

What are the main reasons soldiers go AWOL in Ukraine?

Key reasons for AWOL, as stated by Dmytro Riumshyn, include lack of motivation and unclear terms of service. Insufficient leadership competency and ineffective communication worsen the problem. Addressing these root causes is critical for reducing AWOL instances.

What legal actions are taken against AWOL cases in Ukraine?

The Ukrainian authorities have initiated multiple investigations into AWOL cases. Law enforcement agencies like the State Bureau of Investigation are involved in prosecuting criminal cases related to unauthorized leave and concealment of such incidents, impacting military discipline significantly.

What measures are being proposed to address AWOL during martial law?

The Verkhovna Rada is considering draft laws to increase penalties for AWOL and non-compliance with military orders during martial law. However, this approach has faced opposition from human rights advocates who fear it may exacerbate the issue rather than resolve it effectively.

How are corruption scandals related to AWOL being handled in Ukraine?

Authorities in Ukraine have been tackling corruption linked to AWOL, like officers accepting bribes to ignore unauthorized absences. Such corruption scandals undermine military integrity, necessitating rigorous anti-corruption measures to uphold discipline and fairness in the armed forces.

What opportunities exist for military personnel who want to return from AWOL?

Ukraine provides servicemen with a chance to return from AWOL under certain conditions, including voluntary return without penalty by specific deadlines. Programs like Army+ facilitate applications for reinstatement, enabling soldiers to resume their duties with reinstated benefits.

What impact does AWOL have on Ukraine's military operations?

AWOL impacts Ukraine's military operations by depleting manpower and morale. The continuous absence of personnel disrupts unit cohesion and readiness. Addressing AWOL's underlying causes is crucial to maintaining an effective and disciplined fighting force during ongoing military engagements.

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News AWOL

AWOL and desertion: the number of proceedings has risen sharply Number of AWOL and desertion proceedings surged in 2025 – Prosecutor General’s Office. DOCUMENT Since the start of the full-scale invasion, law enforcement officers have registered more than 310,000 criminal cases of AWOL and desertion. Most of which occurred within the first ten months of 2025. 3 028 19 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

Record number of desertions in Ukraine: over 21,600 soldiers left the army in October Over 21,600 soldiers went AWOL from army in October – Ihor Lutsenko According to official data, more than 21,000 military personnel left the service without permission in October. 25 265 217 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

In Zaporizhzhia, the State Bureau of Investigation exposed a deserter Deserter set up illegal channel to smuggle soldiers abroad in Zaporizhzhia – SBI. PHOTOS In Zaporizhzhia, officers of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), exposed a serviceman who went AWOL and later organized an illegal channel to smuggle other soldiers abroad. 2 295 6 Previously in trend: Illegal border crossing

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are creating a new brigade despite the large number of AWOL Armed Forces of Ukraine are forming new brigade from among 150th, despite large number of AWOL, - Commander Filimonov The Armed Forces of Ukraine are currently forming a newly created brigade. At this stage, there are already about 3,000 AWOL there. 49 575 66 Previously in trend: Formation of new brigades in AFU

AWOL in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Data statistics Nearly 290,000 AWOL and desertion cases opened during full-scale war – Prosecutor General’s Office. INFOGRAPHICS From January 2022 to September 2025, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies opened nearly 290,000 criminal proceedings for absence without leave (AWOL) and desertion. 7 594 126 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

The K-2 Battalion of the 54th Mechanised Brigade has announced that it will accept military personnel into service after the Armed Forces Illienko called on Verkhovna Rada to allow return of military personnel from AWOL without court decision The Verkhovna Rada should adopt amendments to the legislation as soon as possible to allow combat units to return to service military personnel who intend to return from AWOL. 7 541 92

Riumshyn named the main cause of AWOL in the Defence Forces Main reason for AWOL is lack of motivation and clear terms of service, - colonel Riumshyn Former commander of the 155th Brigade Dmytro Riumshyn stated that the reasons for soldiers deserting during training abroad are the same as in Ukraine. 7 948 23 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU Сase against Colonel Riumshyn

The lawyer shared details of Colonel Riumshyn’s case Riumshyn charged with 630 cases of AWOL, although most of time he was on training courses and temporary duty, - lawyer The former commander of the 155th Brigade, Dmytro Riumshin, is accused of failing to report facts of military crimes to the State Bureau of Investigation. 2 225 9 Previously in trend: Сase against Colonel Riumshyn

Riumshyn’s case. Soldiers who went to the AWOL were not interrogated. In Riumshyn case, none of military personnel who went to AWOL were interrogated, - lawyer Yosypov In the case files concerning the former commander of the 155th Brigade, Dmytro Riumshyn, who is suspected of mass AWOLs by brigade fighters and covering up such cases, not a single soldier who deserted was questioned. 825 4 Previously in trend: Сase against Colonel Riumshyn

bribe for evading military service $6,500 for concealing AWOL case: corruption scheme blocked in Khmelnytskyi region. PHOTO Police in Khmelnytskyi have blocked another corruption scheme: a local resident demanded $6,500 in exchange for not reporting a case of AWOL. 1 108 1 Previously in trend: Grafters AWOL in AFU

Punishment for AWOL: Lubinets opposes draft laws Servicemen should not be punished for voluntarily returning to military service – Lubinets opposes tougher criminal liability for AWOL Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has spoken out against draft laws No. 13260 and No. 13452, which increase criminal liability for unauthorized absence from a unit during martial law and for disobeying commanders’ orders. 1 488 20 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU They want to punish soldiers for disobeying orders

Reshetylova on the AWOL cases in the Armed Forces of Ukraine Reshetylova: It’s untrue that soldiers going AWOL are simply tired of war Most cases of AWOL (Absent Without Leave) involve servicemembers who are undergoing military training or being transferred from a training center to a military unit. 9 870 181 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

Protests in Kyiv against increased responsibility of soldiers for disciplinary offences "Service is not slavery": protests in Kyiv against bill that increases penalties for military personnel. PHOTOS On the evening of Friday, 5 September, a protest against draft law No. 13452, which toughens punishment for military personnel for insubordination, takes place on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv. Ukrainians are also protesting against draft law 13260, which aims to increase the responsibility of the military for the use of force under martial law. 15 067 313 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU They want to punish soldiers for disobeying orders

military man,afu,awol Liability for AWOL during martial law: Rada passes draft law in first reading In the first reading, the Verkhovna Rada passed bill No. 13260, which provides for tougher punishment for military personnel who leave their units without permission (AWOL) during martial law. 12 072 176 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

AWOL cases Over 250,000 AWOL and desertion cases opened during war – Prosecutor’s Office Over the course of the war, more than 200,000 cases have been opened in Ukraine for AWOL, and over 50,000 for desertion. 4 215 60 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

bribes for AWOL Company commander in Dnipropetrovsk region took bribes for concealing fact of AWOL, - National Police. PHOTO A 52-year-old company commander of a reserve battalion of a military unit demanded about 10,000 hryvnias per month for not informing the command about his subordinates' unauthorised departure from the military unit. 5 322 18 Previously in trend: Bribe-takers in military units

afu Sources in 16th Corps report increase in AWOL cases in support units Instead of mobilisation, which is practically non-existent, the command of the 16th Army Corps solves the problem of manpower shortages by transferring people from among the units. There has been no replenishment in the support units for almost a year. 8 433 64 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

military,awol Military who first went AWOL can return without criminal liability until 30 August - SBI Service members who have voluntarily left their posts without authorization for the first time may return voluntarily by August 30, 2025, without facing criminal liability. 2 242 30 Previously in trend: Returning to the Armed Forces after AWOL

Hungarian dies at TCR allegedly after beating: Ukrainian Armed Forces respond Ground Forces on Hungarian’s death after alleged "beating at TCR": man was mobilized into Armed Forces and went AWOL The Ukrainian Ground Forces Command responded to reports about the alleged death of Hungarian citizen Yosyp Shebeshten (referred to as József Shebesztyén in Hungarian media) following a beating at a TCR in Zakarpattia. 16 245 116 Previously in trend: Death of a Hungarian citizen at the Territorial Recruitment Center

Soldier stole an armoured personnel carrier and fled in Sumy region Soldier who stole APC and fled was sentenced to 7 years in prison in Sumy region, - SBI. PHOTOS A serviceman of a Sumy region unit was sentenced to 7 years in prison for desertion and theft of military equipment. 6 354 11 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

Return from AWOL. How long will the simplified procedure last? Simplified procedure for returning from AWOL will remain in effect until 30 August, - Ministry of Defence Military personnel who left for the AWOL before 10 May 2025 have the opportunity to return to the Defence Forces under a simplified procedure until 30 August. 2 677 12 Previously in trend: Returning to the Armed Forces after AWOL

Helped military personnel flee abroad. Details from prosecutor’s office Helping military to flee abroad for money: criminal group exposed in Ternopil region. PHOTOS In Ternopil region, a criminal group that arranged escapes from military units and transfers abroad for money was exposed. 4 759 9 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

Two military personnel who went AWOL were detained Two servicemen who went AWOL detained – Military Law Enforcement Service. PHOTO During a search operation for servicemen who had abandoned their military unit without authorization, representatives of the Military Law Enforcement Service, together with officers of the National Police, located and detained two servicemen. 10 612 56 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

Returning from AWOL to the Armed Forces of Ukraine: the Ministry of Defence explains the procedure Defense Ministry explains procedure for returning to service after AWOL. INFOGRAPHICS Returning to military service after AWOL (absent without leave) is carried out in accordance with the Criminal Code of Ukraine and the Procedure for actions by authorized officials, as outlined in a special directive from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 2 035 6 Previously in trend: Returning to the Armed Forces after AWOL AWOL in AFU

Voluntary return from AWOL. Term extended Rada extends deadline for voluntary return from AWOL until 30 August 2025 The Verkhovna Rada has voted in favour of draft law No. 13177 on the settlement of certain issues regarding the military who have left the military unit without authorization. 2 723 15 Previously in trend: Returning to the Armed Forces after AWOL AWOL in AFU

AWOL and desertion. The SBI explained how to return How to return after AWOL or deserting: SBI explains updated procedure As of 1 March 2025, an updated procedure has come into effect for servicemembers who have gone AWOL (Absent Without Leave). 3 437 8 Previously in trend: Returning to the Armed Forces after AWOL

AWOL during training in the UK: how many Ukrainian soldiers escaped Less than 1% of more than 52,000 AFU servicemen went AWOL during exercises in Britain - media As part of the Interflex program, the United Kingdom has trained more than 52,000 Ukrainian soldiers to participate in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Among them, less than 1% of the soldiers went AWOL. 3 202 29 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

Ministry of Defence discussed problem of AWOL in AFU Ministry of Defence held meeting on prevention of AWOL. PHOTOS The Ministry of Defence held an interagency meeting on issues related to unauthorised abandonment of military units (AWOL) by servicemen. 5 029 50 Previously in trend: AWOL in AFU

Reports through Army Plus: how many military submitted reports in a week Over week, Ministry of Defense received more than 300 applications for returning from AWOL through "Army+" During the week, more than 300 servicemen who went AWOL filed applications to return to the army through the Army+ application. 874 14

Hnezdilov released from liability for AWOL Soldier Hnezdilov, who publicly went for AWOL, released from criminal liability. VIDEO A soldier of the 56th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade, Serhii Hnezdilov, who publicly left the unit without permission in September 2024, was released from criminal liability by the court. 11 690 42

SBI to serve notice of suspicion to former 155th Brigade commander Riumshyn Servicemen of 155th Brigade told commander about AWOL, but he did nothing - SBI The subordinates of the 155th Brigade commander informed him about the facts of the AWOL, but he did nothing in this direction. 8 319 54

90% of servicemen who returned from the AWOL continue to serve Why do military go AWOL and under what conditions are they ready to return - survey results "Volunteer fighters are just as susceptible to AWOL as those forcibly conscripted. One of the key factors contributing to AWOL is the low professional competency of commanders." 14 041 65

90% of servicemen who returned from the AWOL continue to serve Up to 90% of servicemen who voluntarily returned from AWOL are already serving in units - Military Law-Enforcement Service Most of the soldiers who decided to continue their service after the AWOL have returned to their military units and are on active duty. 1 358 12

More than 7,000 servicemen voluntarily returned to the Armed Forces after AWOL More than 7 thousand servicemen voluntarily return to service after AWOL - SBI As of the end of 2024, more than 7,000 servicemen voluntarily returned to the army after going AWOL. 2 015 8

Verkhovna Rada supports law on recognition of volunteers’ competences 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. 3 592 8

SBI detains commander of one of the companies of the 155th Brigade, who went AWOL and incited his fighters to do so He went AWOL and incited fighters to do so: Commander with 155th Brigade detained in Rivne region - SBI. PHOTO Law enforcement officers detained and notified the commander of one of the companies of the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade "Anna of Kyiv" of suspicion, who not only went AWOL but also incited his subordinate soldiers to do so. 15 225 82

Hnezdilov, who went to the public AWOL, will remain in custody Court remanded in custody serviceman Hnezdilov, who publicly went AWOL On Monday, January 6, the Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv extended the preventive measure for Serhii Hnezdilov, a soldier of the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, who publicly went AWOL in September 2024. 3 461 13

Army+ About 30 thousand reports from military on transfer between units filed in "Army+", - Chernohorenko About 30,000 applications for transfer between units have already been submitted by military through the "Army+" app. 2 499 9

Zelenskyy Zelenskyy: Number of AWOLs has been decreasing since autumn The number of cases of unauthorised abandonment of units (AWOL) by servicemen has decreased. 8 787 48 Previously in trend: War

SBI launches investigation into massive AWOL of 155th Brigade name after Anna of Kyiv in France SBI launches investigation into massive AWOL in 155th "Anna of Kyiv" brigade following media reports The State Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into the abuse of power and desertion in the 155th mechanized brigade "Anna of Kyiv" following an investigation published in the media. 19 027 116

military, armed forces Servicemen who returned from AWOL will receive payments again after order to enlist in reserve battalion - Military Law Enforcement Service Servicemen who voluntarily returned to their military unit from the AWOL will continue to receive payments and allowances. The resumption of all payments and allowances will take place after the official order to enlist in the reserve battalion. 3 750 9

Army+ Military can apply for return to service after AWOL through Army+ - Chernohorenko On Wednesday, December 18, the Army+ application launched a feature that will allow a serviceman to submit a report for reinstatement after an absence without leave (AWOL). 1 070 22

Over 3,000 servicemen voluntarily returned to service after the AWOL in a week Over 3 thousand servicemen voluntarily returned to service after AWOL in week – Prosecutor General’s Office Since 29 November, more than 3,000 servicemen have voluntarily returned to military service after the first AWOL due to the law that renews social guarantees, benefits, food, money and material support. 1 644 28

How many servicemen will return from AWOL More than 6 thousand servicemen will return to service after AWOL – Military Law Enforcement Service More than 6,000 servicemen will return to duty after AWOL from their units. 1 331 5

AFU Prosecutor’s Office: 4 thousand servicemen apply to return to service after AWOL Since the entry into force of the amendments to the legislation on the AWOL, almost 4 thousand servicemen have already filed relevant petitions. 3 118 22 Previously in trend: War

Returning to service after AWOL Servicemen who voluntarily return from AWOL by 1 January will be reinstated with all social guarantees - SBI Servicemen who voluntarily return to service before 1 January 2025 will be reinstated with all social guarantees. 3 460 30

The military has until January 1 to return from the AWOL Military have time until January 1 to return from AWOL - SBI Military personnel who have gone AWOL from their place of service for the first time have until 1 January 2025 to return without incurring criminal liability. 10 008 49 Previously in trend: War

Returning to service after an AWOL or desertion: Zelenskyy signed the law Zelenskyy signs law on voluntary return to service after first AWOL or desertion President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 12095 on voluntary return to service for those who have gone AWOL from a military unit or deserted for the first time. 3 723 29

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