National security and defence

Ministry of Defence clarifies responsibility for AWOL before oath

9 sourcesPublished 09/09/2026, 14:34 · Updated 10/09/2026, 07:05

On September 9, 2026, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine clarified that going AWOL before taking the military oath carries the same criminal responsibility as after. The key factor is the start of military service, not the date of the oath.

Key facts

Date: September 9, 2026
Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
AWOL - absence without leave
Responsibility for AWOL starts from service commencement
Claim that AWOL before oath is impossible is legally incorrect

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

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Ministry of Defence clarifies responsibility for AWOL before oath

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Ministry of Defence clarifies responsibility for AWOL before oath

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Ministry of Defence clarifies responsibility for AWOL before oath

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Ministry of Defence clarifies responsibility for AWOL before oath

Key facts

Sources9

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