Over 29,000 soldiers returned to Ukraine’s Armed Forces under simplified return program in 8 months
More than 29,000 soldiers who initially left their units without permission have returned to Ukraine’s Armed Forces under a simplified return program in eight months, the State Bureau of Investigation chief Oleksiy Sukhachov told Interfax-Ukraine on Aug. 5.
He noted that the mechanism provides a chance for those who committed unauthorized leave (UZCH) to return to their military unit and resume service through a simplified procedure, with restoration of monetary, food, clothing, and other support.
Sukhachov also noted that, by court decision, such servicemen may be exempted from criminal liability.
The director reminded that the mechanism was developed by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) together with the Military Law Enforcement Service of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Police, and the Office of the Prosecutor General.
The deadline for servicemen who left their posts without authorization for the first time to return without facing criminal liability expires on Aug. 30.
On May 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law extending the simplified return mechanism for unauthorized leave until that date.
The new procedure applies to those who went on unauthorized leave between November 29, 2024, and the law’s effective date (May 10, 2025).
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