#Mykhailo Drapatyi

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Aumentam as baixas russas na invasão à Ucrânia

Londres, Reino Unido, 9 de janeiro de 2025 – Agência Reuters – O Ministério da Defesa do Reino Unido divulgou que as forças russas sofreram cerca de 430.000 baixas em sua invasão à Ucrânia em 2024, um aumento significativo em relação ao ano anterior. O relatório, baseado em informações fornecidas pelo exército ucraniano, revela que 429.660 militares russos foram mortos ou feridos no último ano,…

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Russian soldiers face execution threats to retake lost ground near Kupiansk, Ukraine claims

Russian commanders in the Kupiansk sector are ordering their soldiers to retake positions from which they retreated under Ukrainian fire, threatening them with execution if they refuse, Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces claimed on Feb. 4, citing intelligence reports.

Ukrainian soldiers forced Russian troops to abandon forward positions near a settlement in the Kupiansk sector following intensive assaults, the unit said.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

Russian forces intensified their assault on Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast in September 2024, pushing toward the city’s industrial outskirts in the northeast. Ukrainian forces repelled several attempts to enter the town throughout December.

The estimated Russian advance in the Kupiansk district, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, as of Feb. 4, 2025. A white symbol marks the city of Kupiansk. (DeepState / OpenStreetMaps)

For months, Russia has sought to establish a foothold along the eastern bank of the Oskil River, attempting to outflank Ukrainian defenses and open the way for a rear attack on Kupiansk. The front line now lies just 2 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the town.

President Volodymyr Zelensky recently appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, the commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, to lead the Khortytsia group as Ukraine works to counter Russian advances in the sector.

Western and Ukrainian officials have pointed to poor morale among Russian troops since the outbreak of the full-scale war. Moscow employs the infamous “human wave” tactics in which its troops overwhelm Ukrainian defenders through sheer numbers despite suffering heavy losses.

Reports of Russian commanders executing their soldiers have also surfaced amid some of the heaviest battles of the war, for example, during Russia’s siege of the stronghold town of Avdiivka in late 2023.

North Korean troops absent from front in Russia’s Kursk Oblast since mid-January, Seoul says

“Since mid-January, there have been no signs showing North Korean troops deployed to the Russian Kursk region engaging in battle,” South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said, suggesting that heavy losses may have been one of the reasons for their withdrawal.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

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Russian forces complete seizure of Velyka Novosilka

Russian troops are finalising the capture of Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk region, with hostilities taking place on the northern outskirts of the settlement.

Velyka Novosilka remained the last well-prepared Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) defensive line in the area. Ukrainian media reported that remnants of the AFU’s 110th Brigade, which had not received an order to withdraw, were resisting on the outskirts.

Military experts note that the capture of Velyka Novosilka will turn the settlement into a logistical hub for Russian troops. Its convenient location will make it possible to support troops not only in the Donetsk, but also in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian military resource Deep State denied the Ukrainian military’s statement about the partial control of Velyka Novosilka. The source referred to footage of the Russian presence in the centre of the settlement.

After the report, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the command of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group. On Sunday evening, 26 January, he issued an address in which he ordered to reinforce the AFU command staff in the region.

According to the address, Zelensky appointed Major-General Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead the Khortytsia group.

These are the most violent areas of fighting. Meanwhile, Drapatyi will retain the powers of the commander of the Ground Forces. (…) This will help unite the army’s combat work with the proper training of brigades.

After discussing the changes with AFU Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, the president sent former Khortytsia commander Andrii Hnatov to the General Staff as deputy chief.

Social media are sharing first footage of the construction of anti-tank fortifications in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The video demonstrates Syrskyi’s preparations for defence amid concerns over losing Pokrovsk.

Earlier, the AFU lost the strategically important town of Kurakhove. Prior to that, Ukrainian troops retreated from Vuhledar. The city’s defence lasted for almost three years until Zelensky’s decision to launch an incursion into Russia’s Kursk region pulled part of the Ukrainian troops away from the region. This allowed Russian forces to intensify their offensive.

Read more HERE

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Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed as Commander of the Ground Forces. He successfully organized the defense in the Kharkiv direction, disrupting Russian offensive operations. Colonel Oleh Apostol has been appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief. Previously he commanded the 95th Air Assault Brigade.

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In his daily video address on February 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had replaced the leadership of Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU).

“Today, a new management team is taking over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I want the vision of the war to be unified among our soldiers in Robotyne or in Avdiivka, as well as in the General Staff and at the Headquarters,” said the Ukrainian President.

Zelensky appointed Oleksandr Syrskyi as the new AFU Commander-in-Chief, replacing Valerii Zaluzhnyi. “I held dozens of conversations with commanders of various ranks. In particular, today I spoke with generals Andrii Hnatov, Mykhailo Drapatyi, and Ihor Skybiuk, and colonels Pavlo Palisa and Vadym Sukharevskyi. They are all being considered for leadership positions in the army and will serve under the guidance of the most experienced Ukrainian commander,” Zelensky added.

Earlier, the Ukrainian president said that he had met with Zaluzhnyi and proposed that he “remain part of the team.”

Zaluzhnyi also posted about the meeting with Zelensky, stating that they had “an important and serious conversation.” “A decision has been made on the need for a change in approaches and strategy,” wrote Zaluzhnyi, though he didn’t comment directly on whether this was referring to his dismissal.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Zaluzhnyi “carried out one of the most challenging tasks — leading Ukraine’s Armed Forces during the great war with Russia.” He added that “the war doesn’t stay the same,” and “demands changes.” “2024 brings new changes, for which we need to be prepared. New approaches, new strategies are needed. A sincere thank you to Mr. Zaluzhnyi for all his achievements and victories,” he added.

Ukrainian media and politicians started discussing Zaluzhnyi’s possible dismissal on January 29. According to unofficial reports from various sources, Zelensky held a meeting with Zaluzhnyi on January 29, suggesting that he leave his position as AFU Commander-in-Chief, though Zaluzhnyi reportedly refused to write the resignation statement himself.

During an interview with Italian publication Rai News 24 on February 4, Zelensky confirmed that he was considering the possibility of dismissing Zaluzhnyi. The Ukrainian president clarified that he was speaking not only about Zaluzhnyi or the military leadership, but that he was considering plans to replace a number of government officials. “This is a question of the people who will lead Ukraine. Undoubtedly, there’s a need for a reset, a fresh start,” said Zelensky.

The new AFU Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has “successful defense experience,” said Zelensky. In particular, Syrskyi “led the Kyiv defense operation” and has successful experience in the “Kharkiv liberation operation,” Zelensky said.

Syrskyi was born in Russia’s Vladimir region, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He first studied at the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School, and then at the National Defense University of Ukraine. Syrskyi has served as the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces since August 2019.

According to The Washington Post, 58-year-old Syrskyi is not very popular among Ukrainian troops. Many of them consider him to be a “Soviet-style commander” who kept troops under fire for too long in Bakhmut, refusing to retreat.

Syrskyi has not yet commented on his appointment. It’s also unclear what Zaluzhnyi will do next. “I proposed to General Zaluzhnyi to remain part of the team in the Ukrainian government. I’d be thankful if he agreed,” wrote Zelensky. Zaluzhnyi has not made any public statements following Zelensky’s post.

The Ukrainian President’s official website posted a decree announcing Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal from the position of AFU Commander-in-Chief, along with another decree appointing Syrskyi as his replacement.

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Zelenskyy substitui comandante no leste da Ucrânia após sete meses

Kiev, Ucrânia, 28 de janeiro de 2025 (Ukrinform) – O presidente ucraniano Volodymyr Zelenskyy anunciou neste domingo (28) a substituição do comandante responsável pelas operações militares na frente oriental da Ucrânia, apenas sete meses após a nomeação. O major-general Andriy Hnatov, que ocupava o cargo desde junho do ano passado, será substituído pelo também major-general Mykhailo Drapatyi, que…

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Zelensky appoints Ground Forces Commander as lead of Khortytsia Group

President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, as the head of the Khortytsia operational-strategic Group on Jan. 26.

“Today, I ordered a strengthening of the command structure of our forces in the Donetsk region,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

He noted that Drapatyi’s leadership will focus on the most intense combat areas while also ensuring proper training for brigades.

Drapatyi will continue in his role as Commander of the Ground Forces, the largest component of the Armed Forces.

Zelensky appointed Drapatyi as commander in Nov. 2024. Drapatyi served as a commander of Ukraine’s 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade from 2016 to 2019. He also played one of the key roles in the liberation of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast in 2014.

Additionally, Brigadier General Andrii Hnatov has been appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff to improve coordination between operational headquarters and the front lines.

Previously, Hnatov served as Commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Zelensky appointed him to that role in June 2024.

Zelensky said that these and other changes were discussed with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi to address key military tasks at all levels.

“The specific needs of the front must determine the standards for equipping and training brigades,” Zelensky said.

Donetsk Oblast to forcibly evacuate children from over 20 settlements

Due to the increased threat to civilian lives, authorities will begin mandatory forced evacuations of children in several settlements in the Komar and Kryvorizhzhia communities, Governor Vadim Filashkin said.

The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert

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Ukraine's General Staff launches investigation into 156th Brigade

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has directed the military to initiate an investigation into the 156th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces announced on Jan. 19.

The investigation comes on the heels of a state probe into the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief Oleh Apostol will lead the investigation, the General Staff said in a social media post.

“The purpose of the work is to check the progress of the brigade’s formation and provide comprehensive assistance in organizing and preparing for combat operations,” the post read.

Recent inspections of the 156th Brigade revealed “a number of significant shortcomings,” according to the military. Plans to address these problems include replacing the brigade’s leadership, appointing a commander with practical combat and command experience, and transferring combat-tested officers and sergeants into the unit.

Other necessary steps involve improving practical training for personnel and increasing training for drone pilots and electronic warfare operators.

“It should be noted that the mistakes that occurred during the formation and training of the 155th ‘Anne of Kyiv’ Brigade have been taken into account, and measures are being taken to prevent them in the future,” the General Staff said.

The 156th Brigade is one of 14 new brigades formed by Ukraine’s Ground Forces in recent months. The newly formed brigades have faced front-line challenges and accusations of mismanagement — particularly the 155th, the French-trained brigade at the center of a mass desertion scandal.

Ground Forces Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi said on Jan. 8 that “inadequate management,” “mistakes in recruitment,” and “imperfect training planning” contributed to the problems with the 155th Brigade.

The general’s remarks followed a media investigation that claimed soldiers of the unit, deployed near the front-line hot spot Pokrovsk, suffered heavy losses and deserted in large numbers due to poor command and organization.

The 155th Brigade was intended to be a flagship project for Ukrainian brigades trained and armed with the assistance of foreign partners. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in June that France would provide training and military supplies as part of this initiative.

The flaws in Ukraine’s new brigades and foreign training programs

Newly formed brigades within the Ukrainian military face critical challenges on the front lines. Poor management, lack of experience, and inadequate training have resulted in territorial losses, damaged equipment, and tragic casualties. NATO’s training methods often fail to align with the realities…

The Kyiv IndependentSerhii Filimonov

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Ground Forces chief reports to Zelensky on 155th Brigade, names those responsible for 'systematic shortcomings'

General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine’s Ground Forces chief, reported to President Volodymyr Zelensky on the roots of the problems facing the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Brigade and presented solutions, Drapatyi said on Jan. 7.

The general’s remarks followed a media investigation that claimed soldiers of the unit, currently deployed near Pokrovsk, have suffered losses and gone AWOL (absent without leave) in large numbers due to poor command and organization within Ukraine’s military leadership.

“Most of the systemic shortcomings were committed by the Ground Forces Command, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Operational Command,” the commander wrote on social media. Drapatyi was appointed to lead the Ground Forces last November, months after the brigade was formed.

Without revealing all the details before “all the circumstances are established,” Drapatyi acknowledged “inadequate management,” “mistakes in recruitment,” and “imperfect training planning” within the unit.

The commander said the biggest challenge was the “low efficiency and motivation of mid-level commanders who directly manage people."

Relevant solutions are already being implemented, with a focus on “recruiting experienced officers and commanders at all levels,” the general said, adding that the 155th Brigade’s soldiers will receive additional training.

Service members of the unit will also be provided a hotline, the commander said.

“In addition to the official daily reports, I want to have direct contact and hear from the soldiers… how our decisions affect their motivation and the real state of affairs,” he added. According to the general, the brigade also received psychologists to strengthen its cohesion while holding positions near Pokrovsk.

“The French side has fully fulfilled its obligations to Ukraine,” he stressed.

The 155th Brigade was intended to be a flagship project for Ukrainian brigades trained and armed with the assistance of foreign partners. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in June that France would provide training and military supplies as part of this initiative.

Despite Paris fulfilling its commitments for training and arms provision, an investigation led by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Ukrainian media outlet Censor.net, pointed to problems in the brigade’s creation and management, allegedly leading to 1,700 cases of soldiers going AWOL from the unit before firing a shot.

‘Negative lesson’ — Ground Forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade

Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization, during a Jan. 6 press conference.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

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French official confirms 'dozens' of Ukrainian soldiers deserted while training in France, AFP reports

A French army official confirmed to AFP on Jan. 6 that several dozen Ukrainian soldiers serving in the 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade deserted while undergoing military training in France.

“There have been a certain number of desertions, but they remain very marginal given the volume of people who have undergone training,” the unnamed official told AFP. “They were in French barracks, they had the right to go out,” the added.

The brigade is a flagship project under which Kyiv’s partners will help train new Ukrainian military formations and provide heavy equipment. The unit has about 5,800 troops, fewer than 2,000 of whom have undergone training in France.

The brigade has become plagued with controversy after media reports emerged of desertion and widespread mismanagement in recent days.

A media investigation conducted by Ukrainian publication Censor.net claimed that soldiers of the unit, now deployed near Pokrovsk, have suffered losses and went AWOL (absent without leave) in large numbers due to poor command and organization on Ukraine’s side.

Yurii Butusov, the publication’s chief editor, claimed about 50 deserted in France, in addition to hundreds who left their posts even before the unit was deployed at the front.

Between March and November, over 1,700 soldiers had gone AWOL, Butusov claimed without providing evidence. Though the unit was replenished with new recruits, these often did not undergo “proper selection process,” the journalist added.

Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization in a press conference on Jan. 6.

“There are problems, and there were problems in staffing, training, and partially in the command staff,” Drapatyi said. “This is all consciously analyzed, and certain conclusions have been drawn."

Following the emergence of media reports, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation on Jan. 2 launched a probe into suspected desertion and abuse of authority.

On Jan. 5, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi ordered to boost the brigade with drones amid the reports.

The report comes amid growing calls for reform within Ukraine’s military leadership as Kyiv grapples with intensifying pressure in its war with Russia.

‘Negative lesson’ — Ground Forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade

Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization, during a Jan. 6 press conference.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

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'Negative lesson' — Ground Forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade

Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization, during a Jan. 6 press conference.

“Of course, this is a negative lesson, a negative experience, but it should be converted into some kind of preventative action,” Drapatyi said.

The general’s remarks followed a media investigation that claimed soldiers of the unit, currently deployed near Pokrovsk, have suffered losses and gone AWOL (absent without leave) in large numbers due to poor command and organization within Ukraine’s military leadership.

The 155th Brigade, formed with support from Ukraine’s Western partners, was intended to be a flagship project to train new military units equipped with heavy weaponry. French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement in June that France would provide training and military supplies was part of this initiative.

The brigade was meant to consist of about 5,800 troops, but fewer than 2,000 have undergone training in France. Despite Paris fulfilling its commitments for training and arms provision, an investigation led by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Ukrainian media outlet Censor.net, pointed to problems in the creation and management of the brigade allegedly leading to 1,700 cases of soldiers going AWOL from the unit before it fired a shot.

According to Butusov, the failure to provide critical equipment, such as drones and electronic warfare tools, hampered the brigade’s combat readiness when it was deployed in November.

Ukraine investigating French-trained brigade after reports of desertions, mismanagement

The statement comes following a media investigation that claimed that soldiers of the unit, deployed near Pokrovsk, have suffered heavy losses and went AWOL in large numbers due to poor command and organization on Ukraine’s side.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

“There are problems, and there were problems in staffing, training, and partially in the command staff,” Drapatyi said. “This is all consciously analyzed, and certain conclusions have been drawn."

The general added that lessons learned from these difficulties are being used to improve the brigade and avoid similar issues in the future.

Drapatyi acknowledged these challenges, pointing out that desertion was often driven by fear and a lack of combat experience.

“There are many manifestations of unauthorized abandonment of military units, but there are also reasons for this,” he said. “There is the fear of the personnel […], and sometimes the lack of practical experience in combat operations."

Of the 1,924 soldiers sent to France, only 51 had more than a year of military service, while 1,414 had served less than two months, according to the Censor.net investigation.

The commander emphasized that the military is actively addressing the brigade’s issues. “I confirm that there were problematic issues with the command staff and the training process, and they are all being resolved now,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Drapatyi remained optimistic about the brigade’s future. “The brigade is developing, fighting, inflicting losses on the enemy,” he said.

The report comes amid growing calls for reform within Ukraine’s military leadership as Kyiv grapples with intensifying pressure in its war with Russia.

As Russians inch closer to Pokrovsk, civilians in the area are left with a choice — stay under fire or leave life behind

BILOZERSKE, Donetsk Oblast — Less than 30 kilometers north of embattled Pokrovsk, a market was in full swing in the town of Bilozerske. Meters away, however, a crowd has gathered in front of a building, nervously awaiting the doors to open. Tensions were visibly mounting as the doors remained close…

The Kyiv IndependentEmmanuelle Chaze

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Ukraine to conduct review of Ground Forces command, defense minister announces

Ukraine is to carry out a comprehensive review of the Ground Forces command, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 2, to be conducted by the Defense Ministry’s Main Inspectorate.

“Victory requires a deep analysis of experience, and an honest understanding of mistakes,” Umerov said.

The review aims to evaluate management structures, processes, and compliance with legislation to support reforms and enhance battlefield effectiveness.

The announcement comes after newly appointed Ground Forces Commander General Mykhailo Drapatyi unveiled plans on Dec. 12 for fundamental reforms to strengthen the branch.

Umerov said that the analysis would provide Drapatyi with a full picture of the state of affairs in the Ground Forces.

“Events in the Ground Forces directly affect the situation on the front,” Umerov said, underscoring the strategic importance of the reforms.

Based on the findings, the Defense Ministry plans to introduce reforms in personnel policies, optimize management processes, and improve combat capabilities with new training approaches.

Drapatyi’s proposed changes include revamping the recruitment system, which will have zero tolerance for corruption, enhanced front-line training, and integration of advanced technology into operations.

The reforms come amid reported personnel shortages, with slow mobilization efforts leaving some front-line units undermanned.

Drapatyi has highlighted the need to reform training curricula and prioritize social support for service members to prepare for modern warfare effectively.

Ukraine strikes Russian command post in Kursk Oblast, General Staff claims

The strike targeted the 810th Russian Brigade, resulting in significant losses, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s counter-disinformation center.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

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Ukraine working to extend basic training to 2 months, Syrskyi says

Ukraine’s military leadership plans to extend basic military training to two months to enhance the preparedness and safety of soldiers, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Dec. 27.The initiative follows consultations with the General Staff, branch commanders, and leaders of individual combat units.“We are currently working to create conditions for the training to last 2 months in total. High-quality training means, first and foremost, the preservation of the lives and health of our soldiers,” Syrskyi said.He noted that recent graduates had completed a revised 1.5-month training course, an improvement from the previous 30-day standard.While an additional 5-14 days of training within military units is planned, intense battlefield conditions have sometimes limited this step. Syrskyi emphasized the importance of addressing training challenges and updating basic military training standards to meet current needs.These efforts complement broader reforms under General Mykhailo Drapatyi, appointed commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces on Dec. 12.Drapatyi’s vision includes transforming the Ground Forces into an “elite” military unit by modernizing training programs, integrating advanced technology, and prioritizing social support for service members.In July, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the military suffered from a lack of training facilities for new soldiers, citing the Ukrainian military.The planned changes aim to improve the effectiveness of Ukrainian forces as they continue to face intense hostilities.3 senior Russian officers killed in HIMARS, drone attack, Ukraine’s military intelligence saysVideo released by HUR shows a large explosion followed by what appears to be the detonation of a cluster munition.The Kyiv IndependentChris York Source : kyivindependent.com/ukraine-t…

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Three reasons why Ukraine will lose Pokrovsk

The AFU is facing a number of problems, among them lack of interaction between units, untimely reporting of the situation on the front line to the high command and shortage of personnel due to mass desertion, ZN.UA reports.

Roman, a lieutenant in one of the territorial defence brigades defending the area south of Pokrovsk, said:

“We can count on reinforcements or at least some reinforcement only when the media write about our direction or there is an enemy breakthrough far to the rear. And there is nothing to talk about global changes. I think there will never be any.”

Journalists manage to talk to the Ukrainian soldier for about an hour as he takes his car to the repair shop. He is not verbal, but he stresses that the direction can be held if a significant number of reserves with armoured vehicles and, most importantly, with high quality training are transferred here. But now the situation south of Pokrovsk is not improving.

On December 12, journalist Yuriy Butusov said that Russian troops had seized an entire AFU fortification near the Shevchenko settlement, which the Ukrainian military had not had time to reach. Just two days later, the Russians themselves demonstrated photos and videos of the defences they had occupied. From the available material, it is clear that this is a well-built bunker with equipped places to sleep and a supply of provisions.

Roman’s territorial defence unit is holding defences not far from this place. The lieutenant stated that the problem is very multifaceted and it is not the first time. A similar situation used to occur in Novohrodivka, which Russian troops recaptured in the summer, as well as in other parts of the front near Pokrovsk.

Having talked to Roman and two other junior officers who are holding the defence in this direction, we were able to identify three reasons for such miscalculations:

lack of well-established co-operation between brigades/battalions responsible for a certain section of the front;

untimely reporting of the situation on the front line due to the fear of individual commanders to report failures upwards;

lack of manpower to hold positions, including due to the mass unauthorised abandonment of military units (AWOL), which has become a global phenomenon in the past few months.

The military are unanimous in their belief that these problems cannot be solved through the initiative of individual commanders on the ground. But they are cautiously optimistic after the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as commander of the Ground Forces. They say that if he has the necessary resources, he will be able to correct the situation. But there is little room for decision-making, according to the military.

Only one decision can be made to improve interaction between units on the front line: a switch to a divisional structure. By enlarging the structural units themselves, such an architecture will be able to resolve most issues of interaction on the front line. However, at the same time, it should be remembered that such a transition itself is a very long and complex procedure that cannot be realised in the span of a few months or even six months. This, too, requires additional resources for training officers, retrofitting units and systematising work. Roman summarised:

“Here’s a condition: we hold one village, and next to it another battalion of another brigade holds another village. This is not our area of responsibility, we are different units and have different subordination. And even in co-operation we may not understand what the plans of that brigade are. There were cases when some units simply “dragged” from their positions, and because of that we had to withdraw too, so that we would not be surrounded. And if we had a divisional structure, we would work as one mechanism, as an orchestra. Because now we just sit down together and everyone plays something different.”

Another problem that the military is not on record talking about is the command’s failure to understand the clear situation on the ground. The reason for this is the very long shoulder to deliver information from scratch to the commanders who make the final decisions. Very often brigade commanders (not to mention combatants) are afraid to make a decision even on a tactical scale without coordination “from Kyiv,” fearing responsibility.

The situation is really unique. It is no secret that Ukraine owes much of its defence of the Russian offensive in February-March 2022 to the initiative of its lower leadership. Sergeants and lieutenants who led their platoons and companies into battle without waiting for orders from above were able to turn the tide of the fighting.

However, time has passed, and trends have changed. Now Russia’s Iskanders hit targets 2-3 minutes after intelligence has identified them, which means that the entire vertical chain of command has been completely erased. That is, drone operators give directional coordinates to the launching sites of MLRSs without waiting for any coordination. The conduct of assaults in each direction has been “hung” on brigade commanders, who are now responsible for certain actions on the front line with their own heads.

At the same time, the Ukrainian command is moving in the opposite direction. According to ZN.UA sources in the security services, orders for operational and sometimes even tactical actions on the collision line are approved directly by the AFU Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Unfortunately, his decisions are often untimely, and delay costs human lives and square kilometres of lost territory. At the same time, brigade commanders and officers of smaller structural units are afraid to make decisions on their own, waiting for the “responsibility” they are often threatened with.

What follows from the above is an ironic thesis that Taras Chmut, head of the “Back Alive” Foundation, likes to repeat: “The small Soviet army will never defeat the big Soviet army.” And there is much more truth in this sentence than it first appears.

The third problem that unit commanders in the Pokrovsk direction talk about is the large number of unauthorised abandonments of military units. It has hardly the smallest scope for a possible solution. According to ZN.UA sources in the Ministry of Defence, every month Ukraine loses from four to five thousand military personnel, taking into account the dead, seriously wounded and AWOL. It is very difficult to restore such a number of losses at the moment.

The problem is not only in the direct implementation of mobilisation, but also in the quality of the average mobilised military man. This is a topic for a separate article, but let us note only one thing: the existing mobilisation figures are sufficient only to address tactical threats in the short term, and there is no need to talk about any strategic planning at all.

In the near future we will see how the above three problems will affect the defence of Pokrovsk, a city of incredible military and industrial importance for Ukraine. None of the three military officers interviewed by ZN.UA answered the question of whether Pokrovsk could be defended if these problems were not solved.

At the same time, Russian troops are eight kilometres from the Pokrovsk-Dnipropetrovsk highway and are slowly taking it under the control of FPV drones. Finally, exactly the same distance from the Russian forward units is the border with the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Read more HERE

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HP Insight

Drapatyi being prepared to replace Syrskyi

Clouds are gathering over the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Oleksandr Syrskyi. Given the criticism of pro-government experts, the general might be replaced in the very near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already started considering the commander of the AFU Ground Forces, Mykhailo Drapatyi, who has extensive combat experience and has repeatedly proved effective at the front, whereas Syrskyi is associated now only with failures at the front.

The General of Failures

Recently, media and experts have been discussing the merits behind Oleksandr Syrskyi’s replacement of the former AFU commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzhny. There were speculations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky found a pretext to dismiss an inconvenient military commander and political rival, as this February events at the front foreshadowed the surrender of Avdiivka.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the AFU Commander-in-Chief disagreed on prospects of the essential city and the fate of the soldiers. Consequently, Zaluzhny resigned from his post, bearing all the negative impact of the city’s collapse. Syrskyi, who succeeded him, proved to be more loyal to the president. However, this did not grant him immunity from setbacks. It is not for nothing that talk about his resignation has started now, when the air smells the surrender of Pokrovsk, a key city in every sense.

Let us look at the background. Syrskyi’s biography is hardly flawless. He was born on the territory of modern Russia in the Vladimir region, graduated from the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School. He still has relatives in Russia. To an ordinary post-Soviet person, this fact would hardly seem surprising, but when we refer to a high-ranking representative of Ukraine’s security services at the time of the war against Russia, serious questions surface.

Syrskyi may have served Ukraine faithfully for most of his life, but it is Russia that benefits from his poor performance. With the outbreak of the armed conflict in Donbas in 2014, he was appointed chief of staff of the anti-terrorist operation. During the ATO (JFO), Debaltseve, Vuhlehirsk, Lohvynove were lost under Syrskyi’s command. The infamous Debaltseve cauldron (encircling maneuver) is his merit, according to a number of media outlets.

Notably, in those years, the Ukrainian Army often suffered failures in multiple areas. However, with the beginning of a full-scale war in February 2022, Syrskyi did not meet expectations. At that time, he was already the commander of the Ground Forces and got a great opportunity to show himself in action after the routine staff duties. As a result, he failed in the defence of Bakhmut, the holding of which Zelensky placed great importance on.

After becoming the head of the AFU, Syrskyi made himself memorable for a dubious operation in the Kursk region, which led to the collapse of the front in Donbas. The consequences of his efforts are clearly visible on the map. Now the Russian army is advancing at the fastest pace since the beginning of 2022, acknowledged around the world.

Syrskyi is particularly unpopular among ordinary soldiers. They regard him as a Soviet-style commander who does not care about casualties. This is why he is referred to as the Butcher. But is there a man looming on the horizon who can handle the duties of AFU commander-in-chief better?

Drapatyi’s offensive

Recently, Volodymyr Zelensky made everyone talk about Mykhailo Drapatyi. On 29 November 2024, the president appointed him commander of the AFU Ground Forces. Journalists immediately drew attention to this manpower decision, as it was Syrskyi who had previously followed a similar career path before ousting Zaluzhny. Besides, experts and MPs have been openly criticising the incumbent commander-in-chief more and more often in recent weeks. For instance, a member of the Servant of the People party, Mariana Bezuhla, demanded to dismiss Syrskyi.

“If Mariana started talking about it, it means that the threat exists. It is Mrs Mariana who serves as a litmus test of public sentiment. Presenting those messages that then shape the society to make certain decisions by the leadership of our country,” explained AFU Major-General, former deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces Serhiy Kryvonos.

Many perceived the appointment as a personal blow to Syrskyi. This assumption does not seem unfounded, as Drapatyi’s biography is notable for merits that the current head of the AFU cannot boast of. It is worth starting with the fact that he is a real combat general with a successful combat experience since 2014. It was Drapatyi who defended Mariupol then, liberated Slovyansk, successfully led the withdrawal of units from the so-called Izvaryne cauldron, saving the lives of hundreds of defenders.

Since May this year, the brigadier general became the commander of the Kharkiv Task Force and led the reflection of the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region. Until January 2024, Drapatyi headed the Operational Tactical Group Kherson and was one of the leaders of the liberation mission of Kherson region’s right bank in 2022. He was awarded the Order of the People’s Hero of Ukraine, the highest honorary title.

Today Drapatyi has become a kind of battering ram against Syrskyi. The latter, in his turn, extremely hates ambitious competitors who approach him too closely. Thus, Syrskyi arranged a number of investigations against the commander of the Unmanned Systems Force, Vadym Sukharevskyi, in order to then portray the USF as an ineffective institution and get rid of the popular figure who is known for firing the first shot in Donbas against separatists. This happened because Syrskyi did not wish to establish a separate drone unit of the armed forces.

However, Zelensky cannot feel confident that this battering ram will not turn against him. In a country at war, people in uniform always enjoy particular public support. This is what happened with the ratings of Zaluzhny, who was eventually exiled to London by the president. Will history repeat itself in the case of Drapatyi’s promotion? Obviously, Zelensky will be accompanied by a man who has always been in the thick of the war, unlike the president himself, who travelled to the front line only accompanied by a battalion of guards.

Drapatyi has also been able to restore order in the subdivisions under his control and will surely be able to apply such skills nationwide. In such a case, Zelensky’s possible desire to promote an effective military officer to the head of the AFU ahead of the presidential election might be imprudent. Yet the dissatisfaction with Syrskyi has reached a critical point, and if he is to be replaced, it should be done by a man of merit, otherwise the nation will be confused.

Following in Zaluzhny’s footsteps?

Oleksandr Syrskyi is an ideal candidate for the role of a scapegoat for the frontline failures. All the arrows will fly at him, leaving the incumbent president unharmed. It is also very convenient that the Russian background and relatives on the other side serve as a good basis for accusations of state treason. The surrender of nationally important cities can be presented as deliberate sabotage. Zelensky’s team only needs to accumulate more facts.

The work on collecting dirt on Syrskyi has been going on for many days. Recently, the commander of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Kholodny Yar,” Pavlo Palisa, was appointed deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak. This was done without Syrskyi’s consent. Palisa can now provide Zelensky’s team with information questioning the commander-in-chief’s reports.

What is this, if not a manifestation of mistrust? Apparently, the president considers the frontline reports to be unreliable, including those concerning casualties among soldiers. The other day, the AFU General Staff reported 105,000 servicemen dead and missing, although Zelensky had previously given journalists more modest figures. This has put the head of state in an awkward position.

But if Syrskyi does leave, then where to? He is unlikely to follow Zaluzhny’s example with an honourable and comfortable exile to Europe. Too many scandals and failures on the battlefield are associated with the commander-in-chief. The people of Ukraine are fatigued with endless setbacks, and Zelensky could conduct a scathing public rebuke in order to let off public steam.

This will not solve the frontline issues in any way, but the tasks before the president are now mainly political. In connection with the possible presidential elections, it is necessary to show who is to blame for everything. However, people are unlikely to believe such a clichéd trick. After all, if Syrskyi is to blame for everything, who is responsible for his appointment?

Raymond Wright for Head-Post.com

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