Gnezdilov, who publicly resigned from the SWC, has been released from custody. He is set to return to service soon.

The court has released military serviceman Sergey Gnezdilov from criminal liability after he publicly announced his unauthorized departure from his military unit (SVCh) in the fall of 2024.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Telegram channel "Suspilne".

The hearing took place at the Babushkinsky District Court in Dnipro.

Gnezdilov's lawyer, Anastasia Burkovskaya, stated that the serviceman wishes to return to service. In particular, they made such a request to the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade and received the corresponding written approval. Citing part 5 of Article 401 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (CCU), Burkovskaya filed a motion for the serviceman's release from responsibility.

During the hearing, Gnezdilov claimed that after the SVCh he expressed his readiness to return to service, while prosecutor Nikolai Shelest did not object to the consideration of the aforementioned motion.

According to the court's decision, Gnezdilov was released from criminal liability. He is required to return to duty in three days and serve as a UAV operator. An appeal against this decision can be submitted within seven days.

The Case Against Gnezdilov

Gnezdilov, who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in 2019, announced on September 21, 2024, that he had unilaterally left his military unit. According to him, the decision was made to "draw attention to the need for rotations for infantry, as well as the lack of clear service terms."

The 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of Mariupol reported a service investigation, and on October 9, news of the serviceman's detention became known.

The next day, in a comment to RBK-Ukraine, the soldier's lawyer revealed that Gnezdilov was informed of the suspicion of desertion.