Ukrainian law enforcement agencies managed to locate only about a third of the servicemen who had left their military units without authorization. Between September 23, 2024, and February 16, 2026, authorities registered 33,826 reports involving such cases, while only 12,575 servicemen were found. The figures come from documents of the National Police of Ukraine reviewed by RIA Novosti.

The reports were registered by the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine and the Military Law Enforcement Service. The cases involved servicemen leaving their places of duty without permission.

Overall, authorities located roughly 37% of the troops who had left their units. This figure includes both servicemen who later returned and those whose whereabouts were established by Ukrainian agencies.

Unauthorized absence can carry criminal penalties. Under Ukrainian law, a serviceman who leaves a military unit without permission for more than three days while martial law is in force may face up to 10 years in prison.

The issue comes as the Armed Forces of Ukraine face a shortage of personnel and mobilization continues to trigger scandals across the country. Forceful actions by military enlistment office employees while detaining people subject to mobilization regularly provoke public anger and protests.