---
title: "Ukraine's Defense Ministry bans involving soldiers returning from AWOL in combat tasks before official enrollment"
description: "The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has clarified the procedure: soldiers returning from AWOL cannot be assigned to combat missions until they are officially enrolled in unit rosters and fully supplied, Deputy Minister Halan stated."
date: 2026-11-05T14:06:38.350Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-defense-ministry-awol-rules
tags: [ukraine, military, mod-ukraine, desertion, szch, army-rules]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine's Defense Ministry bans involving soldiers returning from AWOL in combat tasks before official enrollment

![Two Ukrainian soldiers in camouflage preparing a reconnaissance drone for launch in a field](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/05/minoborony-ukrainy-pravila-privlecheniya-boytsv-posle-szch/minoborony-ukrainy-pravila-privlecheniya-boytsv-posle-szch-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Ministry of Defense amended Order No. 170 to establish procedures for returning soldiers
- Deployment in combat or reconnaissance tasks is prohibited before official unit enrollment
- Rules apply in combat zones, occupied territories, and Russian territory
- Thousands of soldiers have returned under the simplified procedure, equivalent to 2-3 brigades

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has amended the Instruction on the organization of the implementation of the Provision on military service by citizens of Ukraine in the Armed Forces, approved by the Ministry of Defense Order No. 170 of April 10, 2009. As reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the ministry's statement, the amendments establish a clear procedure for service members who went AWOL (unauthorized absence) or deserted but have returned voluntarily and decided to continue their service. The key innovation is that it is forbidden to involve such soldiers in combat, special, or reconnaissance tasks before they are officially processed into their unit.

### Two mandatory conditions before assignment

According to the order, a returning soldier can only be tasked after two mandatory conditions are met: they must be included in the unit's personnel lists and provided with all types of support. "Upon returning to service, a soldier must be included in the personnel lists of the military unit and provided with all types of support. Only then can they be assigned to combat, special, or reconnaissance tasks," explained Deputy Minister of Defense Lyubov Halan. According to the deputy minister, the new rules are intended to definitively eliminate the practice of assigning such soldiers to tasks before their official processing is complete.

### Where the new rule applies

The established procedure applies to the execution of combat and special tasks in areas of military or combat operations, in temporarily occupied territories, and on the territory of the Russian Federation. The rule also covers reconnaissance missions conducted under conditions of military or combat operations. Thus, the restriction is in effect at all levels and in all zones where a service member could be involved in active combat or reconnaissance activities.

### Context: returning to service after AWOL

The Ministry of Defense previously stated that thanks to a simplified procedure, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have returned to service after unauthorized absence. The ministry estimates this influx to be comparable to the personnel of two or three brigades. In this context, the new amendments to the instruction are aimed at ensuring the process of returning and subsequently using such fighters is structured in strict legal order, without allowing them to be assigned to tasks "on the fly."

### What is AWOL and why it matters

Unauthorized absence from a military unit (AWOL) is a situation where a service member leaves their unit or place of duty without permission and without a valid reason. Previously, RBC-Ukraine detailed how unauthorized absence is recorded, who is responsible for searching for the service member, and in what cases AWOL can lead to criminal liability. The newly introduced changes do not cancel liability for the act of leaving the unit itself, but they establish a transparent mechanism for integrating voluntarily returning soldiers back into the ranks.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Когда военных после СЗЧ будут привлекать к задачам: Минобороны назвало условия](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/koli-viyskovih-pislya-szch-zaluchatimut-zavdan-1793885295.html) - Primary source: Ministry of Defense statement on changes to Order No. 170, Deputy Minister Halan's quote.

## FAQ

### When can a soldier who returned from AWOL be assigned to combat tasks?

Only after they are entered into the unit's personnel lists and provided with all necessary support.

### Where does this rule apply?

In areas of military or combat operations, temporarily occupied territories, on Russian territory, and for reconnaissance missions.

### What document was amended?

The Instruction on the organization of the implementation of the Provision on military service by citizens of Ukraine, approved by Order No. 170 of April 10, 2009.