Vitaliy Shabunin, the head of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, announced on May 19 that he has ended his service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to significant vision impairment. Shabunin voluntarily joined the military on the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In a post on Facebook, he stated, “My service is over. Having lost a significant part of my vision, I am leaving the Armed Forces, where I voluntarily mobilized on the first day of the great war. […] Over four years in the Defense Forces: half of that time in Kharkiv and the East (including Druzhkivka), the rest in Kharkiv and Kyiv.”
“I regret that the last period of my service has unfolded in this manner. I could have served the Defense Forces much more effectively (and did everything possible for that). But the higher command saw my role and place in the Armed Forces only this way. I entered the Armed Forces on the first day of the war as a soldier, and I leave as a senior sergeant. My officer contract was not signed by the then Minister of Defense Umierov,” he wrote.
Shabunin also claimed that the authorities have used his voluntary service against him. He alleged that the State Bureau of Investigations and the Prosecutor General’s Office fabricated a criminal case against him for evading military service and attempted to restrict his ability to defend himself. He described the military environment as having turned into a spectacle, stating that he was photographed daily while unloading food supplies, with these images sent to higher command, which he suspects included the Office of the President.
Furthermore, he mentioned that after establishing a drone defense unit, he was transferred to another brigade by order of the Chief of General Staff, where he was assigned to menial tasks, including cleaning up waste. He indicated that he had submitted numerous requests for transfer within the military hierarchy but received no response.
Shabunin confirmed that his discharge order was signed a few days prior, and he is currently at home. Following treatment for his vision, he plans to return to his activities with the Anti-Corruption Action Centre. He also referenced a decision from the military medical commission in the comments to his post.
On August 14, 2025, the State Bureau of Investigations announced the conclusion of its investigation into Shabunin, who is suspected of evading military service with the assistance of his unit commander.
Vitaliy Shabunin has announced the end of his military service due to vision loss after over four years of service. He has raised concerns about the treatment he received during his time in the Armed Forces and plans to return to his anti-corruption work following recovery.