The Ministry of Defence (MoD) explained which documents service members must have with them during annual leave and the conditions for travelling abroad. The clarification describes the form of the leave ticket, the procedure for registering at the place of leave and the rules for submitting a leave request to travel abroad.
Arranging leave and the leave ticket
Leave is granted to a service member by the unit commander by order; a verbal agreement or a request left at headquarters does not grant the right to go on leave. The form of the leave ticket is established in Appendix 30 of the Instruction on record keeping in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, approved by the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated 31 January 2024 № 40.
The leave ticket is a document that confirms the right to leave and must be kept for the duration of the trip. The ticket is required for registration on arrival and for deregistration at the place of leave.
Checking the ticket and registration during leave
You should check the ticket in person while still in the unit; if you find an error, contact the administrative office to have it corrected before departure. Time spent travelling within Ukraine to and from the place of leave is not counted towards the leave duration, but cannot exceed two calendar days one way for annual main leave and for leave for family reasons.
After arriving at the place of leave you must register no later than the following day with the management body of the Military Law Enforcement Service (ВСП) in the garrison or with the nearest territorial centre for recruitment and social support (ТЦК та СП). “To register” means to notify the relevant authority of your arrival; deregister one day before departing to return to your place of service.
Travelling abroad: the leave request and submission deadlines
You may travel abroad on leave only with the permission of the unit commander, who decides individually on your written leave request. The request for leave must state the dates of departure and return, the city and address of your stay, the mode of transport and the border crossing point.
Submit the leave request to the unit commander no later than 15 calendar days before its scheduled start according to the roster. The request can be submitted via Army+; submitting the request itself is not permission to travel abroad — the commander’s decision is required.
Deadlines: the leave request — no later than 15 calendar days before the start of leave; register — no later than the next day after arrival; deregister — one day before departure; travel time within Ukraine — no more than two calendar days one way.
Compensation for unused leave days
Service members who continue to serve cannot, at their own request, refuse annual main leave and receive monetary compensation instead. However, upon discharge from military service compensation for the corresponding unused days of leave is provided.
