The Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law extending the period of voluntary return of servicemen who voluntarily left their units (SZCH). The new return deadline is August 30, 2025. About this reported People’s Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Draft Law No. 13177 stipulates that during martial law, military service for military personnel who voluntarily left the unit will not be suspended. If the serviceman has not returned by the time martial law is terminated or revoked, service is suspended from the day following its termination.
The period of absence does not count towards the length of service, the length of service in the military rank and the years of service that affect allowances and pensions. At this time, a military man has no right to payments, security (cash, food, material) and social benefits. The same applies to members of his family — they temporarily lose the right to the benefits they had as relatives of a serviceman.
Those who returned from voluntarily leaving the unit can, by the decision of the commander, continue their service, even if criminal proceedings have already been opened against them.
To prevent the misconception that no punishment means no consequences, the law supplements Article 24 of the Law “On Military Duty and Military Service”. According to the new provisions, it is determined that the specified period does not count towards years of service, the term of military service or pension, and also does not give the right to any security or benefits established by law.
Military servicemen who voluntarily left military units or places of service or deserted before the entry into force of the new law, but whose military service was suspended, can voluntarily return to the relevant units no later than August 30, 2025 and express their willingness to continue their service.
In such a case, the commander (chief) of the unit is obliged within 72 hours from the moment of the person’s arrival to reinstate him in military service, restore the validity of the contract, and also ensure the payment of monetary maintenance and the provision of food, material and other support. From the time of resumption of service, all the benefits and social guarantees provided for by law are once again attached to the serviceman.
