---
title: "Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Clarifies Leave Procedures for Servicemen: Documents, Registration, and Traveling Abroad"
description: "The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has published clarifications for servicemen on leave ticket processing, using the electronic military registration document in Army+, registering at the place of rest, and rules for traveling abroad."
date: 2026-10-20T16:40:22.820Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-mod-clarifies-leave-procedures-servicemen
tags: [military-vacation, ukraine-army, military-service, armiya-app, vacation-rules, military-accounting]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Clarifies Leave Procedures for Servicemen: Documents, Registration, and Traveling Abroad

![Ukrainian serviceman in camouflage uniform sitting at a desk and reviewing a leave ticket and documents](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/20/minoborony-ukrainy-poryadok-otpuska-voennosluzhashchikh-2026/minoborony-ukrainy-poryadok-otpuska-voennosluzhashchikh-2026-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Serviceman leave is granted only by the commander's order; a report or verbal agreement is not a legal basis for departure
- Starting July 2026, an electronic military registration document with a 3-minute QR code is available in the Army+ app, but internet access is needed for verification
- Upon arriving at the place of rest, a serviceman must register no later than the next day at the VSP or TCC and SP
- Traveling abroad during leave is possible only with the commander's permission, and the report must be submitted at least 15 calendar days before leave begins

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has published detailed clarifications for servicemen regarding the procedure for granting annual leave, preparing documents, and complying with military registration requirements during rest. The information, reported through RBC-Ukraine, applies to all categories of military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service whose data are verified in digital systems. The key principle emphasized by the agency is that leave is granted exclusively by the order of the unit commander, and a report or verbal agreement alone does not constitute a legal basis for departing from the unit.

### Leave Ticket and Documents: What to Bring

The form of the leave ticket is established in Appendix 30 to the Instruction on Office Work in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approved by the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated January 31, 2024, No. 40. The Ministry of Defense strongly recommends checking the leave ticket before leaving the unit: if an error is found, one must contact the office work department to correct it. The leave ticket is valid only when presented together with an identity document, so taking only the ticket is insufficient. The document should be kept throughout the trip, as it is required both for registration and de-registration at the place of leave. For annual primary leave and family circumstance leave, travel time across Ukraine to the resting place and back is not counted towards the leave duration, but cannot exceed two days in one direction.

### Electronic Military Registration Document in the Army+ App

Starting from July 2026, the electronic military registration document (eMRD) is available in the Army+ app for servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service whose data are verified in digital systems. The electronic document has the same legal force as a paper military ID or officer certificate. Its validity is verified via a QR code using the built-in scanner in the app; the code is valid for three minutes, after which it automatically updates. However, using the eMRD and verifying the QR code requires internet access. Therefore, the Ministry of Defense advises additionally bringing a paper military ID or officer certificate — they may be needed in the absence of a connection. Additionally, the agency warns that if only the "Defender's Certificate" and not the "Military Document" is displayed in the app, this is insufficient to replace the military registration document, and a paper counterpart must be available in such cases.

### Registration at the Place of Rest

Upon arrival at the place of leave, a serviceman is obliged to register no later than the following day. To do this, one must contact the Military Law Enforcement Service (VSP) management body in the garrison or the nearest territorial recruitment and social support center (TCC and SP). One day before departing back to the place of service, it is necessary to de-register. If the serviceman's location is more than 30 kilometers away from the respective VSP management body or TCC and SP, registration and de-registration can be carried out at the local self-government body. During both procedures, one should ensure that the corresponding marks are entered into the leave ticket. Submitting an electronic report via Army+ does not exempt one from the requirement to issue a leave ticket and comply with military registration procedures at the place of rest.

### Traveling Abroad: Commander's Permission

A serviceman can travel abroad during leave only with the permission of the unit commander. The decision is made individually based on a report, which must indicate the dates of departure and return, the city and address of stay, the mode of transport, and the border crossing point. According to the Ministry of Defense's clarification, the report must be submitted to the unit commander no later than 15 calendar days before the start of the scheduled leave. The report can also be submitted via the Army+ app, but the mere fact of its submission does not mean that traveling abroad is permitted: a separate decision by the commander is required.

### Unforeseen Circumstances and Illness During Leave

If a serviceman falls ill during leave, they are obliged to immediately inform their immediate commander or the unit duty officer by phone or via messenger. It is important to keep proof of the notification, such as correspondence. In case of a severe condition, an ambulance must first be called or the nearest medical facility must be visited. After stabilization, the medics must be informed about the military service and the unit number, and the command must be informed of the hospitalization. If the illness coincides with the period of annual primary leave, the unit commander can postpone it to another period or extend it by the number of sick days. The basis for this is a certificate from a healthcare institution, certified by the head of the TCC and SP. Such a procedure is provided for by paragraph 187 of the Regulation on the Performance of Military Service by Citizens of Ukraine in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Отпуск военнослужащих в 2026 году: в Минобороны назвали важные требования](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vidpustka-viyskovosluzhbovtsiv-2026-rotsi-1792510952.html) - The primary source contains all facts used in the article: the procedure for processing a leave ticket, the electronic document in Army+, military registration rules, traveling abroad, and procedures in case of illness. References to the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated 31.01.2024 No. 40 and paragraph 187 of the Regulation on Military Service are confirmed in the source text.

## FAQ

### Is a report sufficient for a serviceman to obtain leave?

No. Leave is granted exclusively by the order of the unit commander. A report or verbal agreement alone does not constitute a legal basis for leaving the unit.

### Can one use only the electronic military registration document from Army+?

The electronic document has the same legal force as a paper one, but internet access is required to verify the QR code. The Ministry of Defense recommends additionally taking a paper military ID or officer certificate in case of a lack of connection.

### When is it necessary to register at the place of leave?

No later than the day following arrival at the place of leave. You should contact the VSP management body in the garrison or the nearest TCC and SP. If the distance exceeds 30 km, you can use the local self-government body.

### How can a serviceman travel abroad during leave?

The permission of the unit commander is required. A report indicating dates, address, mode of transport, and border crossing point must be submitted no later than 15 calendar days before the start of leave. The mere fact of submitting a report via Army+ does not mean permission to travel has been granted.