Prolongation of Voluntary Evacuation from the Central Reserve Ends on August 30th
Fresh Take:
The deadline for military personnel in Ukraine who’ve gone AWOL (absent without leave) to return to their units has been pushed back until August 30, 2025, as per bill No. 13177.
Source: People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak via Telegram
Quote: "Fact is, they extended (the people's deputies) the deadline for voluntary return (from AWOL) until August 30, 2025. Adopted as a basis - 282."
Insights: This extension gives AWOL soldiers an additional period to return, initially enacted in April 2025.
structural adjustments to the bill:
- During military conflict, military service for AWOL individuals isn’t officially terminated. But if they don’t return post-conflict, their service is considered suspended from the next day.
- Absence periods don’t count toward their length of service, and they don’t receive remuneration, rations, or benefits during this time (an amendment added by the Committee to the bill).
- Soldiers can volunteer to rejoin until August 30, 2025, after which they may lose the chance. Upon returning, they’ll be reinstated with all legal benefits and guarantees.
- Commanders have the discretion to allow AWOL soldiers, even with pending criminal cases, to serve once they return.
- If military service is suspended or a soldier leaves their unit during conflict, they and their family forfeit benefits and compensation for that time.
Read more about AWOL and desertion in Ukraine: Desertion from the Army: Why AWOL and Desertion Have Become Mass Phenomena and Its Solutions
- The deadline for military personnel who have gone AWOL in Ukraine to voluntarily return to their units has been extended until August 30, 2025, as per bill No. 13177.
- The extension for AWOL soldiers to return was initially enacted in April 2025, as a result of structural adjustments to the policy-and-legislation within politics and general news.
- During military conflict, military service for AWOL individuals isn’t officially terminated, but if they do not return post-conflict, their service is considered suspended from the next day.
- Commanders have the discretion to allow AWOL soldiers, even those with pending criminal cases, to serve once they return, upon which they will be reinstated with all legal benefits and guarantees.
