--- title: "Return without trial: The Armed Forces of Ukraine launch amnesty for deserters and new contracts up to 460,000 UAH" description: "The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has launched a voluntary return program for deserters: you can choose a brigade and position without a trial. New contracts with salaries up to 460,000 hryvnias and a rotation system every two months have also been announced. 🇺🇦💰📉" date: 2026-06-12T16:08:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/return-without-trial-afu-amnesty-for-deserters-and-new-contracts-up-to-460k-uah tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Return without trial: The Armed Forces of Ukraine launch amnesty for deserters and new contracts up to 460,000 UAH ![Ukrainian soldier in camouflage with a rifle against a sunset backdrop, symbolizing return after ZSU amnesty](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/12/v-ukraine-vozmozhnost-vozvrashcheniya-na-sluzhbu-posle-szch-i-novye-kontrakty/v-ukraine-vozmozhnost-vozvrashcheniya-na-sluzhbu-posle-szch-i-novye-kontrakty-1.webp) The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has announced major changes in the system of personnel recruitment and motivation. The key innovation is the opportunity for military personnel who have committed unauthorized absence from their unit (AWOL) to voluntarily return to service without criminal liability, provided certain deadlines and procedures are followed. ### Return to the ranks: conditions and procedure According to information from the Defense Forces of Ukraine, military personnel whose AWOL status was recorded before June 11, 2026, have been given a chance to legalize their status. The program applies to all structural subdivisions: the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the National Guard (NGU), and the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection (SSCIP). The main advantage of the new initiative is the provision of choice. A returning soldier can independently determine which brigade they want to join and what position to occupy, taking into account their profile and skills. After arriving at the unit and being enrolled in service, monetary compensation is restored from the moment of actual return. The application procedure has been simplified and can be performed in several ways: - Through the mobile application «Army+»; - Directly at the military unit; - At recruitment centers (for the AFU). Simultaneous submission of multiple reports is not allowed. After sending the application, the documents undergo verification. If necessary, unit representatives will contact the applicant to clarify data. The term for considering the report is up to 7 days. After approval, the status «On the way» appears in the application, confirming the fact of voluntary return. ### Deadlines for arrival and legal nuances Return to the ranks is regulated by strict time frames. For AFU and SSCIP personnel, up to 5 days are allotted to arrive at the unit. For NGU personnel, separate norms apply: the term is up to 96 hours after receiving the corresponding order. It is important to note that this reform does not cancel existing norms of military legislation. Violation of service conditions, repeated unauthorized absence from the unit, or refusal to carry out orders still entail liability in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, including criminal liability. The contract system is not an indulgence and does not exempt one from observing military discipline. To successfully complete the procedure, it is necessary to fill out a report indicating the service structure, desired direction, civilian experience, and previous military position. For NGU employees, the mandatory requirement is the presence of a letter of recommendation, the validity period of which is one month. ### New contracts and rotation system Alongside the return program, the Ministry of Defense presented an updated contract system aimed at increasing transparency and motivation. Now, military personnel are offered contracts with a clearly defined duration of service and a guaranteed right to deferment after their completion. Depending on the category and specialty, contracts are divided into several types: **Combat specialties (6, 10, or 14 months)** Contracts are designed for infantrymen, stormtroopers, combat medics, and other frontline positions. These are the highest-paid categories. The income level can reach 460,000 hryvnias per month. The amount consists of the base rate and additional payments for performing tasks of varying complexity — from holding positions to active storming actions. **Specialized roles (24 months)** This format is intended for UAV operators, artillerymen, EW specialists, and other profile military personnel. Salary depends on the level of participation in hostilities and can reach 120,000 hryvnias per month, including allowances. **Rear and auxiliary positions (24 months)** For this category, a minimum payment of 30,000 hryvnias is provided, with the possibility of increase when performing specific tasks. ### Rotation and deferment system After the completion of the contract, military personnel are granted the right to deferment. The duration of this period depends directly on the term of service and the intensity of participation in hostilities: the longer and more actively the soldier served, the longer the period of exemption from service. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky confirmed that the Defense Forces have a real opportunity to organize a system of three shifts of military personnel. According to him, this will allow for planned rotations of personnel on a regular basis — approximately every two months, which should reduce the level of fatigue and increase the combat effectiveness of the army.