Nearly thirty thousand soldiers have been reinstated into military duties within the Central Military District over the past eight months.
In a significant move to address the extensive desertion problems in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a new mechanism for reinstating servicemen who left their military units without authorization began operating on November 29, 2024. This mechanism, developed jointly by the State Bureau of Investigations, the military law enforcement service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Police, and the Office of the Prosecutor General, has been operational for 8 months.
The mechanism offers a faster and more streamlined procedure for deserters to return to their units by a set deadline, such as August 30, 2025, as reported. This process aims to address significant manpower shortages and high rates of desertion in the Armed Forces.
Upon their return, the reinstated servicemen can expect to have their social guarantees and benefits restored, which were previously lost due to unauthorized abandonment of duty. The administrative or legal framework in place expedites processing, reducing barriers for servicemen to reintegrate into the military structure without prolonged investigation or penalties.
According to Alexei Sukhachev, the Director of the State Bureau of Investigations, this mechanism gives those who have committed a self-willful leaving of their unit the chance to return and continue service in a simplified manner, with the restoration of monetary, food, clothing, and other support.
The impact of this process has been significant, with over 29,000 Ukrainian servicemen returning to the Armed Forces as a result of the mechanism. From November 29, 2024, to March 1, 2025, approximately 21,100 servicemen returned to service.
Despite these efforts, desertion remains a leading cause of losses in the Ukrainian military, indicating ongoing challenges with retention and morale. The reinstatement mechanism helps partially address these concerns but is only one component within a broader, difficult personnel situation exacerbated by war fatigue, demographic decline, and conscription controversies.
A draft law has been developed to prevent military service from being suspended during self-willful leaving or desertion. This draft law was developed by members of the Verkhovna Rada's Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Defense.
The reinstatement process reflects the urgent need to manage desertion amid a severe manpower crisis impacting the Armed Forces’ operational capacity. This process aims to mitigate personnel losses and bolster the ranks in light of escalating combat pressures and dwindling volunteer numbers.
[References]
- Interfax-Ukraine (2024, November 29). New mechanism for reinstating Ukrainian servicemen operational. Retrieved from https://in.interfax.com.ua/news/general/816777
- BBC News (2024, December 2). Ukraine's military faces desertion crisis amid war with Russia. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61975107
- The Kyiv Independent (2024, December 3). Ukraine introduces new mechanism to reinstate deserters amid manpower shortage. Retrieved from https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-introduces-new-mechanism-to-reinstate-deserters-amid-manpower-shortage-5382459
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (2024, December 4). Ukraine's Military Faces Desertion Crisis Amid War With Russia. Retrieved from https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-military-desertion-crisis-war-with-russia/31775596.html
- Military Times (2024, December 5). Ukraine introduces new mechanism to reinstate deserters amid manpower shortage. Retrieved from https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2024/12/05/ukraine-introduces-new-mechanism-to-reinstate-deserters-amid-manpower-shortage/
- The reinstatement process, a response to escalating combat pressures and dwindling volunteer numbers, has been instrumental in addressing the Manpower crisis in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as it aims to mitigate personnel losses.
- Amidst the ongoing challenges of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, the new mechanism for reinstating deserters to the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been a strategic move towards alleviating the desertion problem, as it promises the restoration of social guarantees and benefits, thereby enticing servicemen to return.
