Tuesday11 February 2025
kriminal-ua.info

Gnezdilov, who publicly announced his SOC, is rejoining the Ukrainian Armed Forces, believing he has partially achieved his objective.

The commander of the aerial reconnaissance unit of the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade (56th OMB) of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Sergey Gnezdilov, who announced last autumn that he had unilaterally left his unit (went to Sochi), has returned to service and stated that he has partially achieved his goals. This was reported by "Suspilne" on January 30.
Гнездилов, открыто высказавшийся о СОЧ, вновь присоединяется к ВСУ, полагая, что частично добился своих целей.

According to the soldier, the judge has now completely annulled the criminal prosecution and proceedings, and he was released in the courtroom. If the prosecutor's office does not file an appeal within a few days, then "the matter is considered closed." The fighter plans to return to the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, where he previously served. The only consequence in the future after the closure of the case, he states, is the relevant entry in his personal file.

"From such-and-such a date to such-and-such a date, I was absent without leave. And I was released from criminal liability according to this provision of the law. This procedure is only possible if you are going [to the SOCH] for the first time. And on the second, third, fifth, as many people are currently consulting while being in such a difficult situation when they are being sought, unfortunately, it does not apply," he explained.

Gnezdilov clarified that his goal was to draw attention to the issue of soldiers going to SOCH, as there are no clear deadlines for service termination in the Armed Forces. He believes he has achieved his objective. The soldier reported that, according to data from the Office of the Prosecutor General, at the time he went AWOL, there were over 100,000 military personnel in SOCH.

"Thanks to this act, we have finally started discussing this issue at all levels. Whether this problem is being partially addressed, and whether issues regarding demobilization will be resolved, considering that the president has commented on this matter, I believe that conversations have indeed begun about the need to not just simulate but to actually resolve it," Gnezdilov added.

However, the Ukrainian soldier believes that the discussion of the SOCH issue in the military is only half the battle. After all, there are still no timelines for service, rotations, and reserve buildup. Gnezdilov believes that the resolution of the situation could involve service boundaries of "three years on the front – three years in the rear."

"Maybe not 36 months, maybe there will be another figure, but there will be one. In countries like ours, a model should operate where every citizen must defend. And if he is not defending now – it means he is preparing. And if he is not defending now – it means he is temporarily reserved. This does not exempt him from the responsibility of fulfilling his duty to protect this country – it simply delays it," the soldier noted.