Military personnel have time to return without punishment from SVC: Terms announced.

According to the advisor to the director of the State Bureau of Investigation for communications, Tetiana Sapiian, soldiers who left their place of service without permission for the first time have the opportunity to return by January 1, 2025, to avoid criminal liability.

Solders who violated the rules and left their unit without permission can return by January 1, 2025, to avoid legal responsibility, said the advisor to the director of the State Bureau of Investigation for communications, Tetiana Sapiian.

After returning, military personnel will have 72 hours to take further action — either to extend their contract or to resume service. In addition, their payments, benefits, and social guarantees will be restored.

It is also important that a serviceman who returns to their unit is obliged to inform the pre-trial investigation agency or the military law enforcement service about this.

According to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Anatolii Baryliovych, the reduction in cases of desertion may result from the increased length of the basic training for military personnel. He also noted that psychological problems are often the reason for desertion.