The law establishes a special procedure for continuing military service for servicemembers who voluntarily left military units or deserted until November 21, 2024. It defines a mechanism for their return to service, provided they voluntarily arrive at military units by January 1, 2025. Structurally, the law amends Chapter XII ‘Final Provisions’ of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service’ by adding a new paragraph 7-2, which contains 4 sub-paragraphs with detailed regulation of the procedure. Key provisions of the law:
• The unit commander is obligated to continue military service for such persons within 72 hours of their voluntary arrival
• All payments, provisions, benefits, and social guarantees are restored from the moment of service continuation
• The existence of an open criminal proceeding for unauthorized leaving of a unit or desertion is not grounds for refusing service continuation
• During the period of service suspension, payments and provisions are not made
