Military personnel can return from AWOL through the Army+ app — reports must be submitted by September 20
Service members whose unauthorized absence from their military unit was recorded before June 12, 2026, can return to service by September 20 through a simplified procedure and independently choose a new unit for further service.
The easiest way to use this mechanism is to submit a report through the Army+ app.
In the app, the service member can select a new unit from an available list, specify the desired service direction and their experience, and receive support until they are enrolled in the new military unit.
After the report is approved in Army+, the status "On the way" appears. This confirms voluntary return to service and grants five days to arrive at the new military unit.
Applications can also be submitted directly to the chosen military unit or through the 1st Recruitment Center of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the 2nd Recruitment Center of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Currently, the program is available for service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service.
For National Guard service members, the ability to submit reports through Army+ is expected to become available in the coming days.
The program will operate for 100 days — until September 20, 2026, inclusive.
Return procedure through Army+:
- Verification. A banner "Absence from service recorded" will appear in Army ID.
- Report. In the app, go to Services → Reports → "Return to service after AWOL".
- Unit selection. Choose a new military unit from your structure's list, specify the service direction and experience. Sign the report online.
- Contact. After the report is reviewed by unit representatives, they will contact you to clarify details.
- Arrival. After approval, the status "On the way" appears in the app. This allows 5 days to arrive at the new service location.
For those needing consultation at every stage, the Ministry of Defense hotline is available: 0 800 605 100 (daily from 09:00 AM to 8:00 PM).
As reported by the "Judicial and Legal Newspaper", the Cabinet of Ministers approved an experimental mechanism for voluntary return to service of military personnel who during martial law voluntarily left military units or deserted. The procedure allows independently choosing a new military unit, submitting a report through electronic services or other designated methods, and undergoing a simplified verification process.
The experiment applies to service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the National Guard. Upon arrival at the new military unit, for those whose military service was suspended, service is resumed along with the contract, payment of monetary allowance, and other types of support. There is also a guarantee that for six months after enrollment in the chosen military unit, transfer to another unit is possible only with the written consent of the service member, except for certain cases defined by the procedure.
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