Return from AWOL: a step-by-step guide based on official clarifications from the Ministry of Defense

The introduction of an experimental project for the voluntary return of servicemen who left their units without permission has raised a wave of questions. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has prepared a series of clarifications covering the technical aspects of the "Army+" app, the procedure for choosing units, arrival deadlines, and legal guarantees for soldiers.

Participation conditions

The new program is temporary and applies to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the State Special Transport Service (DSST), and the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) whose AWOL status is recorded until June 12, 2026.

Applications for voluntary return with the right to choose a unit must be submitted by September 20, 2026. After this date, the procedure will become less lenient due to reserve battalions and courts.

Return is only possible to units from the approved list available at szch.army.gov.ua and strictly within one's own structure — AFU to AFU, NGU to NGU.

A serviceman can indicate a preferred direction (e.g., UAV pilot), and the recruiter of the new unit will help select a vacancy during the application review.

Unit selection

Lists of available units are approved by the Ministry of Defense for AFU and DSST and by the Main Directorate of the NGU for guardsmen.

Applications are submitted through Army+, recruiting centers (only for AFU), or directly to the unit.

It is not allowed to submit multiple applications simultaneously. Also, it is impossible to withdraw or change an application after its approval.

A serviceman may specify a desired position (mechanic, UAV pilot, etc.), but the final decision rests with the unit recruiter.

Technical issues and errors in Army+

The most frequent questions concern the status "Recorded absence from service" (red ribbon).

• What to do if a serviceman is AWOL, but the red ribbon "Recorded absence from service" does not appear: update the app to version 3.2.2, reauthorize, and wait 15 minutes. If this does not help — contact technical support in the app.
• If the ribbon remains red even after return: the update takes 2–3 days, sometimes up to 7–30 days. The serviceman should check with the commander whether a report has been submitted to the Military Police.
• Incorrect AWOL status: if the soldier was not AWOL but the status appeared, check in "Army ID" which unit submitted the data. If it is the current unit — the commander must submit a report about the error to the Military Police. If another unit — write to Army+ support. If the commander does not conduct verification, refuses to consider the application, or the issue is not resolved, it is necessary to contact the Military Law Enforcement Service, the Main Directorate for the Protection of Servicemen's Rights, or the Office of the Military Ombudsman.

Application submission and review procedure

Applications can be submitted via Army+, recruiting centers, or directly to the unit. Only one active application is allowed at a time.

• Deadlines for AFU and DSST: review takes up to 7 days. After approval, the status "On the way" appears, and you have 5 days to arrive.

• Deadlines for the National Guard: review takes up to 96 hours. It is mandatory to add a recommendation letter from the new unit. After the NGU Commander's order, there are 48 hours to arrive.

• Application rejection: main reasons include incorrect data, lack of documents (for NGU), or choosing a unit from another structure. The reason for rejection must be indicated in the app.

Safety during movement and "On the way" status

One of the key issues is protection from detention while traveling to the unit.

The white ribbon "On the way" in Army ID or a paper summons is a legal basis for movement.

If the status is ignored by the police or Territorial Recruitment Centers, immediately call the Ministry of Defense hotline: 0 800 605 100.

Social guarantees and restoration of payments

Meals are restored on the day of arrival at the unit.

Monetary and material support is restored after being enrolled in the personnel lists, which usually takes up to 7 days.

The new program guarantees that for 6 months the serviceman cannot be transferred to another unit without written consent, except in cases of unit reorganization.

Criminal liability

The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that voluntary return is a key condition for resolving the situation legally.

• First case: According to part 5 of article 401 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, persons who committed AWOL for the first time may avoid liability subject to the commander's consent and court appeal.
• Repeated cases: The new procedure text does not explicitly prohibit return for those who committed AWOL repeatedly, but the possibility of case closure for them under the Criminal Code remains legally limited.

Contacts for assistance

In case of any problems such as application rejection without justification, refusal to verify, ignoring the application, technical problems with the app — it is necessary to contact technical support, the Military Law Enforcement Service, or the Office of the Military Ombudsman.

• Ministry of Defense hotline: 0 800 605 100
• Military Police: (044) 454-73-08
• Ombudsman Office: [email protected]

Subscribe to our Telegram channel t.me/sudua and to Google News SUD.UA, as well as to our VIBER and WhatsApp, Facebook page and Instagram to stay informed about the most important events.