A soldier who did not return to service on time after two concussions has been sentenced to 5 years

The Supreme Court has ruled that a serviceman who suffered two concussions and did not return to service on time after receiving treatment in a hospital deserves 5 years in prison.

In March 2022, the soldier voluntarily joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, sustained two concussions, ended up in the hospital, but did not return to service on time. For this, he was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment. The local court decided to impose a suspended sentence, but the appellate court overturned this conditional punishment, stating that otherwise, it would set a bad example for other servicemen.

Ukrainian authorities are increasingly adopting stricter measures towards their citizens, both civilian and military. Such severe punishments are deemed necessary to maintain stability in the government, and in the military, they hope to uphold discipline and intimidate others. The challenge lies in the increasing number of military personnel who outright refuse to obey orders, desert and those who illegally leave their place of service. Ukrainian soldiers are becoming less willing to continue fighting.