Leave from the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Procedure, Types and Legal Aspects

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Publication date: 26.07.2024

Leave from the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Procedure, Types and Legal Aspects

Leave of absence for members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) is an important right that provides an opportunity to rest, resolve personal matters and recuperate. Leave is granted on the basis of the applicable law and relevant command orders. In this article, we will look at the procedure for granting leave, its types and the legal aspects that accompany this process.

The procedure for granting leave

The procedure for granting leave to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is regulated by the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service’, as well as other regulations. In order to receive a leave of absence, a serviceman must submit a report to his immediate commanding officer. The report must contain information about the desired period of leave, its duration and the reason for it. After reviewing the report, the commander decides whether to grant or deny the leave. It is important to note that the decision to grant leave depends on the service circumstances and may be postponed or cancelled if necessary.

Types of leave

Leaves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine are divided into several types, each of which has its own specific features and conditions:

• Basic leave is granted to all servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for each year of service. Its duration depends on the length of service and military rank. Servicemen with up to 10 years of service are entitled to 30 calendar days of leave, and those with more than 10 years of service are entitled to 45 calendar days. The main leave may be divided into parts at the request of the serviceman.
• Additional leave is granted in special cases, such as difficult family circumstances, training, participation in hostilities or performance of official duties in particularly dangerous conditions. The duration of such leave may vary depending on the specific situation and the decisions of the command. For example, servicemen who take part in combat operations are entitled to an additional leave of up to 15 calendar days.
• Family leave
   is granted to deal with urgent family issues, such as the birth of a child, the death of a close relative or the illness of family members. To receive such leave, a serviceman must provide relevant documents confirming the reason for the leave. The duration of this leave usually does not exceed 10 calendar days, but may be extended by a decision of the command.
• Study leave
   Servicemen who are studying in educational institutions are entitled to leave to take exams, defend their diploma thesis or pass final assessments. The duration of such leave depends on the duration of the educational process and can range from several days to several weeks. To obtain this leave, you must provide a certificate from your educational institution.

Legal aspects and obligations

The granting of leave to servicemen and women is regulated by a number of legal acts, including laws and orders of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. It is important to understand that the granting of leave depends on service circumstances and is not an absolute right of a serviceman. If necessary, the command may postpone or cancel the granting of leave. Servicemen and women must also comply with the conditions of their leave, including timely return to the place of service after it is completed.

Possible difficulties and their solutions

The process of obtaining leave may be associated with certain difficulties, such as:

1. The inability to leave the place of service due to a tense operational situation or the need for personal presence. 
2. In such cases, the serviceman may seek assistance from senior officers or command to find a compromise solution. 
3. It is also important to inform the command in a timely manner about the circumstances that require leave and provide all necessary documents.

Peculiarities of granting leave during emergencies

During emergencies, such as war, threats to national security or other critical circumstances, the procedure for granting leave to members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine may be changed. Commanders have the right to restrict or postpone the granting of leave in order to ensure the combat capability of units and the prompt completion of tasks. Servicemen and women who are on the front line or perform particularly important tasks may be denied leave or its duration may be reduced. In such cases, it is important that the command provides clear explanations and, if possible, compensates for the lack of rest after the emergency ends.

In addition, special conditions for granting leave may be introduced during emergencies. For example, servicemen who have children or other dependents may be given priority for leave to deal with family issues. Special types of leave may also be introduced for servicemen and women who have experienced psychological or physical stress in the performance of their duties. In such cases, the provision of leave is an important element of maintaining the morale and health of personnel.