Over 1,700 Ukrainian Soldiers Return to Units in Two Weeks Under Accelerated Reintegration Program
In the past two weeks, Ukrainian military personnel who previously left their units without official permission have been granted an opportunity to rejoin their service through an expedited procedure.
This measure, which was available until August 30, has facilitated the return of over 1,700 servicemen, according to official data from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), led by Director Oleksiy Sukhachov.
The initiative was launched in cooperation with the National Police, the Ground Forces command, and the Military Law Enforcement Service, aimed at mitigating the consequences of unauthorized absences and maintaining combat readiness.
Many soldiers have approached the SBI via a dedicated online form posted last week, demonstrating their willingness to return.
Data indicates that between November 29, 2024, and March 1, 2025, nearly 21,000 Ukrainian servicemen have already re-entered service under this program.
Furthermore, lawmakers, together with the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, have drafted a bill stipulating that military service during a State of Combat Readiness or desertion will not be interrupted.
Over the first eight months of implementing this lenient reintegration mechanism, more than 29,000 soldiers have managed to rejoin the Ukrainian Armed Forces, showcasing the strategy’s effectiveness in stabilizing troop numbers.
An extensive analysis discusses the reasons behind mass desertion and strategies to address this critical issue.