SBI Detained Military Officer Serhiy Hnezdilov, Who 'Voluntarily Demobilized'.

Military officer Serhiy Hnezdilov announced on Facebook that he was detained. Earlier, he had voluntarily left the unit but did not disclose details of his detention.

Preliminary findings indicate that in early September, the military officer was sent to a hospital for a medical examination but did not actually undergo examination or stay in the medical facility. After the examination ended, he did not return to duty and hid from law enforcement for two weeks, changing his place of residence.

Law enforcement officials stated that demonstratively leaving the unit during wartime is immoral and demoralizes society. After reviewing the case materials, the military officer was detained on suspicion of unauthorized departure from the military unit to evade service.

Outside of service, the military officer seeks to draw attention to the absence of established service terms and the duty of Ukrainian citizens to defend the state. This case divides the opinions of Ukrainian citizens.

Regarding legislation, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law exempting military personnel from criminal liability for the first unauthorized departure from a unit and desertion. To return to service, written consent from the unit commander is required. A law was also passed allowing individuals under the age of 25 to perform military service during mobilization.

The State Bureau of Investigations is working on identifying and returning to service military personnel who have unauthorizedly left units.