● State Program

Voluntary Return to Service for Those Who Went AWOL

A state program that lets service members who left their unit without authorization voluntarily return to service in the unit of their choice.

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RETURN FROM AWOL

RETURN ON YOUR OWN TERMS

Until September 20, 2026, you can voluntarily return to service after AWOL and choose your own unit.

DAYS

HOURS

MINUTES

SECONDS

Submit Application

About the Program

A Clear and Transparent Path Back to Service

The program for returning service members after AWOL is an initiative aimed at supporting military personnel through the process of returning to service and restoring contact with their units.

The project is implemented by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine together with specialized centers and units of the Ground Forces. Dozens of units are involved in the program, providing coordination, support, and interaction at every stage of the return process.

The main goal is to give service members the information, support, and guidance they need, and to help them reintegrate into service.

Who Can Apply

Right to Apply

Service members of the AFU, SSTS, and NGU whose unauthorized absence was recorded before June 12, 2026 have the right to apply. Voluntary return to service is possible until September 20, 2026 — to a unit of your own choosing.

You can return to a military unit from a defined list within your own structure: from the AFU — to the AFU, from the SSTS — to the SSTS, from the NGU — to the NGU.

Why It Pays Off

Key Benefits

Choose Your Own Unit

You return not to where you left from, but to the unit you chose yourself.

Protection from Detention

A referral or status in the app gives you a set period to arrive at your new duty station and signals that the service member is returning to service.

Fast Payment Reinstatement

Payments resume after the enlistment order is issued.

Protection from Transfer

For 6 months after returning, you cannot be transferred to another unit without your written consent.

Step by Step

How to Apply

You can submit your report in three ways — choose whichever is most convenient.

Recruitment Center

Through the 1st or 2nd Recruitment Center — for AFU only.

Online

Through the "Army+" app — for the AFU, SSTS, and NGU.

At the Military Unit

Directly at the chosen military unit — for the AFU and SSTS.

You cannot submit more than one report at the same time.

Report Contents

What to Include in the Report

The chosen military unit
Last name, first name, and patronymic
Taxpayer ID number or passport details
Previous rank and position
Former unit and the date you left
Contact phone number
Date and electronic signature
Consent to personal data processing

Optional

You can attach a copy of your military registration document — this will speed up the processing of your report.

Time

Timeframes

How long the review takes

up to 7 days

Time allowed to arrive at the unit

up to 5 days

Your Rights

Guarantees and Protection of Rights

Refusal Only on Specified Grounds

A refusal can only be based on clearly defined grounds: wrong category, incomplete data, no consent to data processing, or not meeting the requirements based on the interview.

If refused for formal reasons, you can reapply to any other unit.