Court Delivers Verdict for Desertion Under Martial Law
A local resident has been sentenced by the Voznesenivsky District Court of Zaporizhzhia for desertion during a period of martial law. After being mobilized into the National Guard, the man ran away on July 3, 2025, as he was getting onto a bus, and managed to evade authorities for over three months. The court found him guilty under Part 4 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and handed down a five-year prison term. This case highlights how Ukrainian courts are strictly enforcing military discipline amid the ongoing war with Russia.
Details of the Case
According to case records, police brought the man to a territorial recruitment and social support center (TCC) on July 3, 2025, where he underwent a military medical board and was deemed fit for service. He was mobilized that same day and sent to a National Guard unit in Zaporizhzhia. The escape took place around 6:00 PM on July 3, 2025, when he decided to flee while boarding a bus.
The man remained on the run for more than three months until he was arrested on October 16, 2025, during a search of his apartment. Police had to break down the hallway door to apprehend him. An order enrolling the suspect into the National Guard rolls was issued on July 3, confirming his status as a serviceman.
The court convicted him of desertion, noting that disagreement with the mobilization process does not justify fleeing. Under Ukraine's Law on Military Duty and Military Service, service for mobilized individuals begins on the day they are dispatched from the TCC to a military unit, not on the day they take the oath.
'I did not undergo the medical board, I did not sign any documents, and I never received a weapon. Most importantly, I did not swear an oath of loyalty to the Ukrainian people. So I did not consider myself a soldier and simply went home.'
The court imposed a five-year prison sentence, reflecting the severity of the offense, especially under martial law. Violations of military law are viewed as a threat to national security, and any grievances against TCC actions or command orders should be challenged in court rather than through escape.
This incident underscores the importance of adhering to the law during martial law and the serious consequences that can result from desertion. In Ukraine, where an active military conflict continues, national security is a top priority, and authorities are tightening enforcement of military obligations. The court's ruling may serve as a warning to other service members about the necessity of complying with state laws and orders during this challenging period.
In a related incident highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement, authorities in Kharkiv Oblast recently apprehended suspects in a double murder case, uncovering weapons linked to deserters. This situation underscores the broader issues of military discipline and the consequences of evading service during the ongoing conflict. For more on this troubling trend, see how police are addressing these serious crimes involving deserters and violent crime.