Medical Treatment Does Not Count as Desertion: What Ukrainian Law Says for Soldiers.

Medical Care for Military Personnel

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian Armed Forces (ZSU) personnel are legally entitled to receive medical treatment while serving, and any time spent in healthcare facilities does not reduce their service term. This means that being hospitalized is not considered unauthorized absence from duty, a critical safeguard for protecting soldiers' legal rights.

Under current regulations, service members admitted to hospitals must follow specific procedures to properly document their treatment. Official medical records must be sent to the military unit through established channels. This prohibits unit commanders from demanding these documents via messaging apps like Viber, which can create additional communication challenges between medical institutions and military units.

Treatment Procedures

Once a soldier's treatment ends, they must be referred to a military medical board for further evaluation of their condition and fitness to return to duty. These procedures are designed to protect servicemen's rights and ensure adequate medical care.

The reality of military medical treatment is indeed challenging. According to Vladyslav Deriy,

“Unfortunately, this situation is quite typical due to bureaucracy and the unwillingness of certain officials to take responsibility.”

Correctly handling medical treatment procedures for military personnel is critically important not only for their health but also for maintaining morale within the armed forces. Timely medical assistance and clear communication between healthcare facilities and military units can significantly impact soldiers' ability to perform their duties. In combat conditions, where health risks are severe, these aspects become especially urgent.