The soldiers were given a month to return after the VLS without criminal responsibility

The soldiers were given a month to return after the first VLS, Photo: AFU

According to the new legislation, military personnel who voluntarily left their place of service (VLS) for the first time have a month — until January 1, 2025 — to return without incurring criminal liability.

Tetiana Sapian, adviser to the director of the State Bureau of Investigations on Communication, said this on TV, writes Ukrinform.

«If you went to the VLS as a military serviceman, then you have the opportunity to return to the military unit from the end of November to January 1 of the new year, that is, in a month. Once you return to your duty station, the commander has 72 hours to renew your contract or reinstate you,» she said.

Tetiana Sapian also noted that monetary, food and in-kind payments and benefits and social guarantees are being renewed.

She reminded that when a soldier returns to his military unit, he must notify the pre-trial investigation body or the military law enforcement service.

We will remind you that on November 21, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in its entirety Law №12095 on the voluntary return to service of those who voluntarily left military units or deserted for the first time.

Back in August, the People's Deputies adopted a draft law in general, which proposed to release from responsibility those soldiers who deserted for the first time or voluntarily left their unit, but later expressed a desire to return to service.