Military personnel given a chance to return from AWOL without punishment through 'Army+': deadlines.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is using a new service in the 'Army+' application for military personnel who wish to return to service after going AWOL.

This service allows them to return without criminal punishment with full restoration of social guarantees until January 1, 2025.

As Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated, the procedure is very simple. In the report, the military can choose the option for returning from AWOL, indicate the reason for leaving, and select the address of the Military Law Enforcement Service for arrival.

'We understand how important support and motivation are for every soldier. This service is designed to provide a clear and transparent path to reinstatement,' Umerov emphasized.

After submitting the report, the military has 24 hours to arrive at the chosen Military Law Enforcement Service unit. The unit commander is obliged to restore the soldier's financial support and social guarantees within 72 hours.

In December, more than 8 thousand military personnel returned, of which over 3 thousand returned after the new law came into effect.

According to statistics, since the beginning of 2024, more than 35 thousand criminal cases of AWOL have been registered in Ukraine, which is three times more compared to the same period in 2023. The number of desertion cases has also increased - 18,196 cases from January to September 2024 compared to 4,691 for the same period in 2023.