Ukraine Sets Sept. 20 Deadline for Simplified AWOL Return

The Ukrainian military’s simplified return program for service members who left their units without official leave will close on Sept. 20, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced. According to military authorities, voluntary returns under the framework accelerated in late summer. During August 2026, the number of servicemen returning to active military duty after unauthorized absence (known by the Ukrainian acronym SZCh) exceeded the number of personnel who newly departed their posts without leave.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The temporary program allows soldiers who left their units on or before June 12, 2026, to voluntarily rejoin the armed forces with significant procedural flexibilities, including the ability to independently select their preferred military branch, duty station, and operational unit. Voluntary returnees are also permitted to specify their desired role or military occupational specialty for subsequent service, the General Staff noted. Application procedures and legal conditions To utilize the simplified return procedure, service members must submit a formal application to the command of their chosen military unit, receive written approval from the unit commander, report in person to the designated location, and resume their service. Personnel completing the process retain full military pay, allowances, and statutory social protections without facing standard punitive administrative measures. The General Staff emphasized that the simplified return mechanism does not apply to newer instances of unauthorized absence occurring after June 12, 2026. Other Topics of Interest Most Ukrainian Refugees in Poland Plan to Return Home, Survey Finds A new survey reveals that 51% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland plan to return home, with most waiting until the war ends. Personnel who left units after that cutoff date remain subject to standard statutory procedures under Ukrainian criminal law, without the option to choose their unit or operational role upon return. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.