The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has announced a revised procedure for the reassignment of soldiers who have deserted their units. This change, communicated on April 2, aims to expedite the paperwork involved in their return to service.
According to the General Staff, the Chief Commander has eliminated intermediary steps in the documentation process, which previously involved multiple military command levels. Now, documents for reassignment will be submitted directly from military units to the General Staff. This reform is intended to enhance transparency and efficiency, reducing the potential for manipulation by certain officials that could obstruct the reassignment process.
While the new mechanism for reassignment does not alter the conditions under which soldiers can return after desertion, it is designed to decrease the incidence of such cases. The General Staff emphasized that the updated approach offers a more democratic method for soldiers wishing to transfer to their preferred units.
Additionally, recommendation letters for reassignment will now be processed electronically, with the stipulation that they cannot be used as a means to transfer from active combat brigades to units with more favorable conditions. The General Staff is also implementing measures to reduce the bureaucratic workload related to the processing of orders and directives concerning the movement of personnel, aiming to shorten decision-making times.
In January, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov indicated that approximately two million citizens were currently wanted, with 200,000 classified as desertions. The Office of the Prosecutor General previously reported nearly 300,000 cases related to desertion and unauthorized absence since the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine, with the majority of cases filed in 2025.
A report by Radio Free Europe’s Donbas Realities in March highlighted that soldiers willing to return after desertion are increasingly reluctant due to the lack of choice in their reassignment. Many experienced personnel are particularly disinclined to return without the option to select their unit.
Recruiters noted that prior to December 2025, units had the autonomy to engage with these soldiers, providing motivation and guaranteeing placement in specific brigades. However, a directive from the Chief Commander now mandates that recommendation letters from units are not considered, and the reassignment of returning soldiers is determined by quotas set by the General Staff, effectively removing their ability to choose their service location. This shift has adversely affected recruitment efforts.
Ruslan Tsygankov, the Deputy Military Ombudsman, stated in an interview that soldiers returning from unauthorized absence are directed to priority units. He clarified that there are no specific instructions to assign these soldiers to assault units. Many of those who have deserted seek assistance from the Office of the Military Ombudsman regarding their reinstatement.
In December 2025, Hromadske reported that Ukrainian soldiers returning from unauthorized absence may only be assigned to assault regiments or Air Assault Forces. This information was relayed by a source within the Ground Forces.
On March 2, Minister Fedorov announced the initiation of an audit of Ukraine’s battlefield losses, which is expected to identify key issues and inform management decisions for systematic resolution.
The Ukrainian military has revised its reassignment process for soldiers returning from desertion, aiming to streamline documentation and improve transparency. This change comes amid ongoing challenges related to recruitment and the management of personnel within the armed forces.