In the first 72 hours of the law's enactment, around 3,000 military personnel returned from the SVC.

During November, approximately 6,000 servicemen returned from the military service, and within the first 72 hours of the new law's enactment, around 3,000 fighters came back. This was reported on Tuesday, December 3, by Colonel Oleksandr Hrynchuk, the Deputy Head of the Main Military Law Enforcement Directorate.

«In the first 72 hours of the new law's implementation, about 3,000 servicemen who had deserted their units returned to the Armed Forces», – Hrynchuk noted.

As stated by the General Staff, military personnel who deserted or left their units without permission before November 29, 2024, can return to their place of service by January 1, 2025, and continue their service. The commander of the military unit must, within 72 hours of the serviceman's return:

• extend the validity of their contract,
• restore their monetary, food, clothing, and other types of support.

Social guarantees and benefits are also reinstated from the moment the serviceman returns, but payments for the period of their absence are not accrued.

Hrynchuk added that a procedure for the return of servicemen from military service has been approved in the Armed Forces. Working groups have been established in 17 designated military units for this purpose.

«The new law, which was developed with contributions from the Military Law Enforcement Service, undoubtedly has a positive impact on the country's defense capability», – emphasized the colonel.

Overall, between 40% and 60% of servicemen who left their posts return to their units voluntarily. In November, approximately 6,000 servicemen returned from military service.

Recall that on November 21, the Verkhovna Rada supported bill № 12095 regarding the voluntary return to service of those who had deserted or left their military units without permission.

On November 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the bill, and on November 29, the law came into effect.

The document stipulates that initiated criminal proceedings regarding desertion (Articles 407 and 408 of the Criminal Code) against servicemen who committed this for the first time and subsequently returned to their military unit do not constitute grounds for refusal to continue military service. Thus, servicemen returning from military service can effectively avoid criminal penalties.

On Saturday, November 30, the Financial Times, citing a representative of the Polish security service, reported that there has been an increase in desertion cases within the Ukrainian military, with some using training in Poland as an escape route.