Voluntary return to AFU service from September 21 follows general regulations
Following the conclusion of the simplified AWOL return program on September 20, 2026, reinstatement to military service is conducted under general procedures. Service members must apply to the Military Law Enforcement Service or directly to reserve battalions. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
The expiration of the simplified mechanism changes conditions for personnel whose unauthorized absence was recorded prior to June 12, 2026. Processing will now require more time, financial allowance reinstatement will take longer, and the ability to independently choose a service unit will be limited.
To return, military personnel must contact the Central Directorate of the Military Law Enforcement Service in Kyiv and Kyiv Region, its territorial directorates, or zonal divisions. These offices provide information regarding available reserve battalions and issue referral orders, although direct reporting to reserve units is also permitted.
Reserve battalion processing and deployment
Upon arrival, the reserve battalion commander issues an order within three days to enroll the individual into temporary personnel lists and assigns duties. The commander also verifies through law enforcement whether AWOL details are registered in the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations and notifies the previous military unit.
When determining placement, reserve battalion commanders consider recommendation letters solely from combat units requiring reinforcements. Letters from support units are disregarded, and service members are dispatched exclusively to priority military units.
Exemption from criminal liability
Pursuant to Part 5 of Article 401 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, a service member may be exempted from criminal liability for a first-time AWOL offense during martial law. This requires submitting an official request, obtaining written consent from the unit commander to continue service, and petitioning an investigator, prosecutor, or court, which makes the final ruling.
For inquiries regarding return to military service, a dedicated hotline operates at 1519.
Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
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