--- title: "Pseudo-activist Stakhiv has AWOLed from the Naval training center: military police conducting a search" description: "Pseudo-activist Ostap Stakhiv, mobilized in Lviv on October 31, 2026, has gone AWOL from the Naval training center. The Military Law Enforcement Service is conducting a search." date: 2026-11-05T14:36:16.935Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/stakhiv-goes-awol-from-navy-training tags: [ostap-stakhiv, mobilization, navy-forces, lviv, military-law-enforcement, ukraine] author: "Roman V." publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Pseudo-activist Stakhiv has AWOLed from the Naval training center: military police conducting a search ![Ostap Stakhiv in a red jacket in front of a forest during mobilization](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/05/stahiv-samovolno-pokinul-uchebnyy-tsentr-vms/stahiv-samovolno-pokinul-uchebnyy-tsentr-vms-1.webp) ## Key Points - Ostap Stakhiv left the training center of the 38th Marine Brigade of the Navy without leave, where he was sent after mobilization on October 31, 2026 - The Military Law Enforcement Service is conducting a search; a report on unauthorized absence has been filed - Stakhiv stated in a video that he does not consider himself mobilized; his supporters report the initiation of a case regarding illegal mobilization and an international investigation Ostap Stakhiv, whom Ukrainian media refer to as a "pseudo-activist," has gone AWOL (absent without leave) from the Ukrainian Navy training center, where he was sent following his mobilization in Lviv. This was reported on November 5, 2026, by Oleksandr Molodyi, a recruiter from the 38th Separate Marine Brigade's recruitment staff, in a comment to "Suspilne," as cited by RBC-Ukraine. According to him, Stakhiv’s absence from the training center was discovered during a morning roll call. A report on unauthorized departure from the unit has been filed, and the information has been transferred to the Military Law Enforcement Service, which is currently conducting a search. ### Circumstances of the disappearance According to the recruitment staff of the 38th Marine Brigade, it was established on the morning of November 5 during a routine check that Ostap Stakhiv was not on the training center's premises. Search efforts yielded no results. As Oleksandr Molodyi specified, a report was filed regarding the unauthorized departure, and search information was provided to the Military Law Enforcement Service. Thus, Stakhiv is officially listed as a serviceman who has left his unit without command permission. ### Confession video and parties' statements A video has been published on a Facebook page linked to Zhanna Novoseltseva, in which Ostap Stakhiv himself confirms that he has left the training center. In the video, he declares that he "does not consider himself mobilized" and announces his intention to head to Lviv. According to the same source, a case regarding the illegality of his mobilization has been initiated on Stakhiv’s behalf, and information about the incident has been forwarded to the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights and the office of the Temporary Investigative Commission involving MP Oleksiy Goncharenko. Reports also mention the commencement of a separate investigation by international organizations. These claims are not confirmed by independent sources at the time of publication. ### Mobilization timeline According to RBC-Ukraine, on October 31, 2026, Ostap Stakhiv was brought to one of the regional Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TCC and SP) in Lviv. The grounds for his detention were violations of military registration rules—he had been wanted since March 6, 2026. On the same day, October 31, Stakhiv underwent a Military Medical Commission (VVK) examination. On November 2, the VVK declared him fit for military service, after which he was sent to a Ukrainian Armed Forces brigade—specifically the 38th Separate Marine Brigade of the Navy, where he was undergoing training until his disappearance. ### Previous legal decisions The story of Ostap Stakhiv began long before the current mobilization. In 2021, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) charged him with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, linking his activities to Russian intelligence services. According to the investigation, Stakhiv may have disclosed the locations of Ukrainian military formations. Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, law enforcement agencies allege he continued to spread disinformation. In October 2024, an appellate court denied a motion to change his pre-trial restrictions, and Stakhiv remained in a pre-trial detention center. At the beginning of December 2024, he was released on bail of 908,000 hryvnias. ### Legal consequences of going AWOL Unauthorized departure from a military unit during mobilization and wartime entails liability under the Criminal Code of Ukraine. If the search does not lead to Stakhiv’s voluntary return to the unit, a criminal case may be initiated against him under the relevant article. At the same time, if his supporters' claims regarding the illegality of his mobilization are confirmed by a court, this could provide grounds for a review of his legal status. Currently, the Military Law Enforcement Service is actively searching for him, and the final legal qualification of the incident remains an open question. ## Accounts differ ### Legality of mobilization and Stakhiv's legal status - **Oleksandr Molodyi, recruiter of the 38th Marine Brigade:** Stakhiv was legally mobilized, sent to the training center, and left without permission; a report was filed, and Military Law Enforcement is searching ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mobilizovaniy-psevdoaktivist-stahiv-vtik-1793888740.html)) - **Ostap Stakhiv (Facebook video):** He does not consider himself mobilized and is heading to Lviv ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mobilizovaniy-psevdoaktivist-stahiv-vtik-1793888740.html)) - **Stakhiv's side (citing Zh. Novoseltseva):** A case on illegal mobilization was initiated, information was sent to the Ombudsman and the Temporary Investigative Commission, and international organizations have begun an investigation ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mobilizovaniy-psevdoaktivist-stahiv-vtik-1793888740.html)) *Where they agree:* Stakhiv was brought to the Lviv TCC on October 31, 2026, underwent a medical check, and was sent to the 38th Marine Brigade; his absence on November 5 is confirmed by both sides ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Мобилизированный псевдоактивист Стахив скрылся из учебного центра, его разыскивают](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/mobilizovaniy-psevdoaktivist-stahiv-vtik-1793888740.html) - The fact of departure from the training center and the start of a search is confirmed by a statement from a recruiter of the 38th Marine Brigade. Claims regarding a case on illegal mobilization and an international investigation are reported with caveats and are not verified. ## FAQ ### When and how was Stakhiv's disappearance discovered? On the morning of November 5, 2026, during a routine morning inspection at the 38th Marine Brigade training center, it was determined that Ostap Stakhiv was not present on site. Searches were unsuccessful. ### When was Stakhiv mobilized and where was he sent? On October 31, 2026, Stakhiv was brought to the Lviv TCC and SP and underwent a medical exam. On November 2, he was declared fit for service and sent to the 38th Marine Brigade of the Navy. ### What did Stakhiv claim in the released video? In a video posted on a Facebook page linked to Zhanna Novoseltseva, Stakhiv confirmed he had left the training center, claimed he does not consider himself mobilized, and announced plans to go to Lviv. ### What are the legal consequences of unauthorized absence? Unauthorized absence from a military unit during mobilization is punishable under the Criminal Code of Ukraine. A report has been filed and the Military Law Enforcement Service is searching for him.