Rada extends simplified return from unauthorized abandonment of military unit until August 30

The Verkhovna Rada has extended the deadline for a simplified return to service after the first unauthorized abandonment of a military unit until August 30.

Oleksii Honcharenko, a Member of Parliament from the European Solidarity faction, broadcast the meeting at which the decision was made on his YouTube channel, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

284 parliamentarians voted for bill No. 13177 as a basis, with the minimum required 226, as a whole – 282.

It is assumed that:

1. During martial law, military service for servicemen who have left their place of service without authorization is not suspended.
2. The simplified mechanism for the return of servicemen who performed the unauthorized abandonment of a military unit until August 30, 2025, as well as for those who voluntarily left military units in the period from November 29, 2024 until the date of entry into force of the new law, continues.
3. A serviceman whose military service has been suspended or who voluntarily left a military unit or place of service or deserted during martial law does not enjoy the right to benefits, guarantees and compensation.
4. Military men who voluntarily left military units during martial law and did not return by the time martial law is lifted, military service is suspended from the day following the termination of martial law.
5. For servicemen who voluntarily left their place of military service, the period of service is not counted towards the term of military service, length of service in a military rank, and for the payment of seniority bonuses and the appointment of a pension.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in compliance with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s order, parliamentarians propose to the Rada to extend the simplified return from the unauthorized abandonment of a military unit until August 30.

In January, the Verkhovna Rada extended the deadline for voluntary return to service after the first voluntary departure from a military unit until March 1. Previously, the simplified mechanism for returning to service after the first unauthorized abandonment of a military unit without criminal liability was in effect until January 1, 2025 and applied to servicemen who voluntarily left military units or places of service or deserted until November 29, 2024.

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