Travel time to leave destination is capped at two days each way
Ukrainian servicemembers departing for annual leave must obtain an official order from their unit commander and secure a leave ticket alongside identification. The electronic military registration document in the Army+ application holds equal legal status to physical papers, though an active internet connection is required for verification. This is reported by the portal PromPolitInform, citing information from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
A verbal agreement or an unapproved report does not grant a servicemember the legal right to leave a military unit. Lawful absence outside the garrison requires an order signed by the commanding officer, which serves as the basis for issuing a standard leave certificate. Alongside this document, servicemembers must present an officer identity card, military service record, or digital equivalent through the state mobile application.
The digital military registration document in the Army+ app has been generated since July 2026 for personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service. Its validity is confirmed via a dynamic QR code that refreshes every three minutes. If the app displays only a Defender’s Certificate rather than a full military document, it cannot serve as a replacement, requiring personnel to carry their paper credentials.
Mandatory Document Verification Prior to Departure
Servicemembers are instructed to review leave papers personally while still stationed at their military unit. The document must accurately state the leave category, approved duration, exact start and end dates, designated destination, and the scheduled return date. Valid credentials also require the unit’s official stamp, a commanding officer’s signature, and correctly recorded personal details, including rank and spelling of the name.
Authorized travel time within Ukraine is excluded from the duration of annual primary leave and family leave, up to a maximum of two days in each direction. The leave certificate must be retained throughout the trip, as it serves as the official record for registering arrival and departure at the destination.
Registration Deadlines and International Travel Protocol
Upon arrival at the leave location, servicemembers must register no later than the following day with the Military Law Enforcement Service garrison office or the local Territorial Recruitment Centre. If the destination is situated more than 30 kilometres away from these offices, registration is permitted through local self-government bodies. Personnel must also officially deregister one day prior to returning to duty.
Traveling abroad for leave requires prior approval from the commanding officer, with reports submitted at least 15 days before the scheduled departure. The application must detail travel dates, transportation type, border checkpoint, and the exact address of stay. When crossing the state border, personnel must present an international passport, military identity document, leave ticket, and an official extract from the command order authorizing travel.
Procedures for Medical Care and Travel Disruptions
In case of illness, servicemembers must promptly notify their commanding officer or unit duty officer via phone or text message, keeping proof of the communication. When admitted to hospital, personnel must provide details about their unit affiliation. Leave can be extended or rescheduled by the number of sick days based on a medical certificate certified by the head of a recruitment centre.
If delays occur due to transport disruptions or force majeure circumstances, servicemembers must obtain a written note on their leave ticket or a formal certificate from transport commandants, recruitment centres, or local authorities. Under Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, unauthorized absence from duty during martial law exceeding three days carries criminal liability.
Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
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