Defence Ministry details rules for annual leave for military personnel and document requirements

To ensure that annual leave proceeds without legal issues, military personnel should carefully check the package of documents, dates, and place of stay. The Ministry of Defence emphasised that sending an electronic report does not cancel the need for proper leave documentation and compliance with military registration procedures. Furthermore, crossing the border is possible only on the condition of obtaining permission from the commander of the military unit.

Documentation for leave

Legally leaving the place of service is based on an order from the commander of the military unit. A verbal agreement or independently writing a report without the corresponding order is not grounds for leave.

Before travelling, it is necessary to have on hand:

• an identity document: military ID, officer's ID, or electronic military registration document in the "Army+" app;
• a leave ticket of the established form, which certifies the right to be outside the garrison;
• for trips abroad: a foreign passport and an excerpt from the order confirming departure on leave and the presence of permission.

The leave ticket is valid only in combination with an identity document. Its form is regulated by Appendix 30 to the Instruction on Document Management in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approved by Order No. 40 of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated 31 January 2024.

Status of the electronic document in "Army+"

Starting from July 2026, the "Army+" app will generate an electronic military registration document for personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Special Transport Service, if their data is verified in digital systems.

Such an electronic document has equal legal force to paper counterparts. Authentication is carried out via a QR code, which is verified by a scanner in the app. The code is active for three minutes, after which it updates automatically.

Viewing the document and verifying the code requires an internet connection. In this regard, the Ministry of Defence advises having a paper ID as a backup option in case of loss of connectivity.

It is important to note: if the "Army+" app displays only the "Defender's ID" and lacks the "Military Document" section, such an entry does not replace a full military registration document.

Checking the leave ticket before departure

The document should be examined in detail before leaving the unit. In case of errors found, one must contact the person responsible for document management to have them corrected.

Key points to check:

1. Type and duration of leave. Dates must exactly match the order.
2. Time and place of return. Verify the correctness of the specified arrival data.
3. Place of leave. The settlement must correspond to the agreed place of stay.
4. Signature and stamp. Presence of the commander's (or authorised person's) signature and the unit's stamp.
5. Personal data. Correctness of surname, first name, patronymic, and military rank.

Time spent travelling within Ukraine to the place of leave and back is not counted towards the duration of the annual main leave and leave due to family circumstances. However, this period cannot exceed two days in one direction.

The leave ticket must be kept throughout the trip, as it is required for registration and deregistration at the place of stay.

Military registration rules during leave

Upon arrival at the place of leave, the military personnel is obliged to register no later than the next day. This can be done at the management body of the Military Law Enforcement Service (MLS) in the respective garrison or at the nearest Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (TCC and SS).

Deregistration is carried out one day before returning to service. In both cases, it is necessary to ensure that the corresponding marks are made in the leave ticket.

If the place of stay is located more than 30 km from MLS or TCC and SS bodies, registration and deregistration can be done at a local self-government body.

Sending an electronic report via "Army+" does not exempt one from the obligation to issue a leave ticket and comply with military registration requirements.

Procedures for leaving the country

Travelling abroad during leave is permitted only with the permission of the commander of the military unit. The decision is made individually based on a report.

The report must specify:

• dates of departure and return;
• city and address of stay abroad;
• type of transport;
• point of passage through the state border.

It is recommended to submit the report to the unit commander no later than 15 calendar days before the start of leave according to the schedule. Submission is also possible via "Army+", but the fact of sending does not imply obtaining permission.

At the border, the military personnel must have a foreign passport, military ID (or officer's ID), leave ticket, and an excerpt from the commander's order permitting departure.

Actions in case of illness or delay

If a military personnel falls ill during leave, they are obliged to immediately notify the direct commander or the unit's duty officer by phone or via messenger. It is advisable to save evidence of sending the message.

In case of a serious condition, one must first seek medical help. After stabilising the condition, it is necessary to inform the medical facility about the military status and unit number, and the command about the fact of hospitalisation.

If illness occurs during the annual main leave, it can be extended or postponed. The basis for this is a medical certificate issued in accordance with established rules.

If timely return is impossible due to circumstances beyond the military's control, it is necessary to obtain a mark in the leave ticket or a certificate regarding the reasons for the delay. Such documents are issued by the military commissar on transport, MLS bodies, or TCC and SS. If it is impossible to contact them, one should contact the administration of transport routes, the local state administration, or a local self-government body.

The unit commander must also be notified about the delay. Under certain circumstances provided by law, the leave may be extended.

Liability for violations

Failing to report for duty without valid reasons may lead to legal consequences. Illness or insurmountable circumstances may be considered valid, but they must be documented and reported to the command.

Under martial law, failing to report for duty without valid reasons for a period exceeding three days is qualified under Part 5 of Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Therefore, before leave, it is worth carefully checking all documents, complying with military registration rules, and informing the command in advance about possible obstacles to timely return to the unit.