The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has introduced a bill to expand the rights of commanders of military units to strengthen discipline among soldiers during the current special period, in particular, to prevent crimes being committed by Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel.

The bill on amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine on strengthening the responsibility of soldiers, commanders, and providing additional rights and responsibilities during the special period" was submitted to parliament by People's Front Party MP’s Serhiy Pashynsky, Andriy Teteruk and Yuriy Bereza.

"The bill is expected to ensure the duties of commanders to take drastic measures to curb criminal offenses committed by subordinates and restore law and order. For this purpose in the special period, in a state of war or in a combat situation as well, in order to arrest military personnel who commit crimes related to disobedience, resistance or threat of use of force, a voluntary abandonment of military positions or certain locations of military units in the areas of combat missions, commanders are personally empowered to use physical force, special means, and in a combat situation – to use weapons to give orders to subordinates, if for no other way to stop criminal acts (changes to the disciplinary regulations of the Armed forces of Ukraine, the regulations of the Internal Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine)," reads a memorandum to the legislative initiative.