Returned to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine: border guards apprehended a soldier who had fled abroad.

Border guards apprehended a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who, at the beginning of October this year, left his unit without permission and illegally fled to Romania. However, he later decided to return upon learning that his brother had been mobilized into the Armed Forces.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported this. The military personnel, as stated in the announcement, could not remain in safety abroad after discovering his brother's mobilization, so he decided to cross the border and rejoin the army.

"The man learned about his brother's mobilization and realized that he could not stay abroad. Taking advantage of the amendment to Article 401 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which allows for avoidance of punishment for unauthorized departure from a military unit, the man was given the opportunity to once again take up arms," the State Border Guard Service noted.

Desertion Epidemic in the Armed Forces

According to the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, since the beginning of the war in February 2022, over 100,000 cases of desertion have been initiated in Ukraine. However, most of these cases occurred after the start of mass mobilization, and according to some sources, the actual number of deserters could be significantly higher. One legislator with access to confidential military information claims that the actual number of deserters could reach 200,000. In comparison, before the mobilization began, around 300,000 soldiers were involved in combat operations in Ukraine.

On November 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Law No. 12095 concerning the voluntary return to service of military personnel who previously left military units without permission or deserted. This law allows deserters to voluntarily return, renew their contracts, and receive all types of support. Additionally, all service members under the first conscription order will not risk being dismissed from service.

On November 21, the Verkhovna Rada supported this bill in its second reading and as a whole. The document received support from 253 members of parliament. This law helps to preserve the personnel potential of the army and facilitates the return of those who previously left military units due to certain circumstances. At the same time, it encourages the voluntary return of military personnel by providing them with the opportunity to restore their rights and obligations.