Military personnel abroad face fines up to UAH 25,500: how to avoid sanctions.

Many Ukrainians leave for abroad, whether for work, leisure, or other reasons. Some of them are liable for military service who have taken advantage of the right to deferment from mobilization. However, not everyone returns when the deferment period ends.

Journalists from the Novyny.LIVE portal explained the possible consequences for military personnel who have left for abroad according to the law but have not returned.

What threatens for not returning from abroad

According to lawyer Liliya Kalashnikova, there are no fines or other administrative liability for being abroad beyond the deferment period, provided that the military personnel has informed about their whereabouts and has not received summons during their stay abroad.

However, if a man who legally left abroad returns to Ukraine, and the right to deferment is no longer valid (for example, in the case of a father with multiple children whose children have reached adulthood), he may be mobilized on general grounds, the lawyer noted.

Who is threatened with a fine for not returning from abroad

If the military personnel who left for abroad did not inform the territorial recruitment and social support center and received summons at their registered address, they may face a fine for violation of military accounting. In 2025, the amount of the fine may range from UAH 17,000 to UAH 25,500.

What to do to avoid a fine

The lawyer advises military personnel who have left for abroad to update their place of residence, timely update their personal data, and keep an eye on notifications in the 'Reserve+' application. It is also important to clarify the reason for the fines and pay them on time, as this may lead to accountability.

It was previously mentioned whether the deferments would be canceled after August 7, as well as the possibility of imposing fines for violations of military accounting.

Violating the deferment deadlines from military service can have serious consequences for military personnel who have left abroad. In case of not returning on time, they face mobilization on general grounds and fines for violation of military accounting. Therefore, it is important to timely inform about their whereabouts and comply with all legal requirements to avoid negative consequences.