How can a member of the armed forces return to service after completing their military service in 2026?
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has clarified the procedure for the reinstatement of military personnel who have left their unit without authorisation.
To be reinstated, a soldier may apply to the Military Law Enforcement Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This includes the Central Directorate of the Military Law Enforcement Service in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, as well as regional directorates and zonal departments.
At the Military Law Enforcement Service unit, the serviceman is provided with information about the reserve battalions to which he may be assigned for service. Following this, the serviceman receives a posting to one of these battalions.
Alternatively, a serviceman may report to a reserve battalion independently.
Returning via Army+
To return to service, you can also submit a report via the Army+ app.
Upon receiving the report, the VSP:
- checks the soldier’s personal details;
- clarifies the necessary documents;
- coordinates with the reserve battalion command;
- arranges for the soldier’s transfer or escort.
Once confirmed in Army+, the serviceman has 24 hours to report to the VSP command, receive his orders and proceed to the reserve unit.
Upon arrival, they are enrolled in the reserve battalion’s personnel records.
Can I return to my preferred military unit?
A serviceman may return to the unit of his choice if he has a letter of recommendation from a combat brigade.
Such letters are taken into account during the transfer and assignment of military personnel.
However, recommendations from support units are not taken into account. Combat units are prioritised for manning.
What happens upon arrival at the reserve battalion
No later than three days after a soldier’s arrival, the reserve battalion commander issues an order to include him on the list of temporarily assigned personnel and sets out further tasks.
Information regarding the soldier’s entry in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations is also verified through law enforcement agencies.
Following this, a notification of the soldier’s arrival at the reserve battalion is sent to the commander of their previous military unit.
When is exemption from criminal liability possible
In accordance with Part 5 of Article 401 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, a serviceman who has committed an offence for the first time involving unauthorised absence from his unit during martial law may be exempted from criminal liability.
To do this, you must:
- write a report;
- obtain written consent from the commander of the military unit or reserve battalion;
- apply to the investigator, prosecutor or court with a request to return to service.
The case is then referred to the court, which makes a decision.
What documents are required upon return
Soldiers are advised to have the following with them:
- military registration documents;
- a letter of recommendation, if available;
- medical documents;
- the report of the military medical commission.
Will provisions be reinstated upon return
Upon arrival at the reserve battalion, the serviceman is placed on full board.
The commander of the unit from which the serviceman was seconded to the Special Forces, upon receiving the documents, issues an order for the serviceman’s return and the reinstatement of all his entitlements.
Where are servicemen with health restrictions sent
Servicemen with health restrictions may be assigned to support units or to the units specified in the recommendation letter.
This applies to military personnel who, according to the conclusion of the military medical commission, are fit for service in military support units.
