“The Great Soviet Army defeats the Little Soviet Army “ – So now, Ukrainian soldiers are jokeing bitterly, writes “The Wall Street Journal”, who talked to many soldiers and officers.
One of them, Captain Oleksandr Szyrszyn, commander of the Battalion 47. Mechanized Brigade, publicly expressed his dissatisfaction. In the May post on Facebook, he opposed the “stupid” orders that lead to unnecessary losses. He also told about the overwhelming fear of generals who “can only spend reprimands, conduct investigations and impose punishments.”
“I hope that your children will also go to infantry and perform the tasks you set for them,” he wrote, turning to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The commanders repeatedly gave his battalion unreal orders to attack, In this return to the Kurski District, where, as it was known, Russian troops were waiting for him – says Szyrszyn in an interview with “WSJ”.
The pre -war reform of the armed forces of Ukraine was aimed at, among others getting rid of the Soviet command system and transfer of decisions regarding combat tasks to a lower level. This approach helped a lot in 2022, when the unit commanders, acting quickly and efficiently, decided on the spot on how to stop the Russian offensive.
The same tactic significantly helped to free half of the territory occupied by Russia. However, as the war was prolonged, Soviet practices began to return, among others due to the lack of people in the General Staff and in other command positions, where the officers of the old Soviet date returned, writes WSJ.
– The situation is approaching the limits of absurdity – says “WSJ” Major Alexei Pasternak. During the unsuccessful counteroffensive of the Ukrainian armed forces in 2023, in the south of the Zaporian region, the generals shouted on the radio to brigades and even sergeants on the battlefield, demanding that they attack them again and despite the fact that the troops lost their combat ability due to growing losses.
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In 2022, Pasternak during courses in Great Britain studied the concept of NATO regarding the management of combat tasks, according to which higher commanders set a goal, and subordinates in the field decide how to achieve it best. This is the total opposite of traditional Soviet command methods. As Pasternak notes, this concept of NATO currently does not exist in the Ukrainian army, except for several brigades.
– says.
Currently, Pasternak is prosecuted for the arbitrary abandonment of the unit, although leaving his 108th Territorial Defense Brigade, he did not leave the front, and undergoes training in the third body of the army, which is created on the basis of an elite brigade known from the rejection of Soviet traditions.
“We waited for everything to collapse”
The drone operator from the 17th Armored Brigade with the nickname Barsik did the same, after his unit received the order to maintain defense in the Kursk region, despite the environment by Russian troops. Only four people were saved. Barsik moved to the “Wilki da Vinci” battalion, which is currently fighting in the Donetsk region.
“Wolves” attract volunteers and private donations, act practically regardless of the command of the armed forces of Ukraine and are known for their care for their soldiers. According to recent reports, more and more soldiers are joining them, who arbitrarily left regular troops.
Kursk's operation and Bachmut defense are considered by the armed forces of Ukraine to be bright examples of the Soviet approach. The current commander-in-chief of Oleksandr Syrski even received the nickname “Butcher”, because in the years commanding in the years 2022-2023 the land forces, he ordered to defend Bachmut for nine months, despite the huge losses and opinions of Western military, that the city did not matter strategic.
Abaca/Abaca/East News/East News
Commander of the armed forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrski in Kiev, February 10, 2024.
Syrski himself has always claimed that the defense of Bachmut allowed to distract significant Russian forces, which otherwise could break the front in other places and inflict much more severe losses to the opponent.
The operation in the Kurski region, which began in August 2024, initially successful and raised the morale of the army and the population. However, the situation began to deteriorate when the clashes went into the prolonged phase. In winter, when Russian meals arrived and over 10,000 Soldiers from North Korea, Ukrainian contingent He was no longer able to continue to continue the surgerysays Szyrszyn participating in it. According to him, he wrote reports describing the problems and suggestions of their solution, but the commanders did not want to make difficult decisions:
When withdrawal began, it was often chaotic and ill -considered. Ways of supply and retreat have already been cut off by Russian drones, and the main road to Ukraine, according to withdrawing military, was dotted with the bodies of dead soldiers and damaged equipment, which also had many killed.
Soviet tradition
According to some combat officers, the situation is changing. “Maybe not fast, but still,” says “WSJ” Lieutenant Colonel Jegor Derewianko, commander of the Battalion 93. Mechanized Brigade.
Lieutenant colonel Sergei Kostyszyn was investigated for several months for the decision to withdraw his battalion from an exposed position in the southern part of the Donetsk region. – They won't move if you are stupid and obedient. This is a Soviet tradition – he says.
Kostyszyn claims that he intercepted the plans of Russian troops regarding the winging of his battalion. In the staff he was ordered to stay in place, but eventually he led his soldiers out of the lap threatening them. The investigation ended with nothing, and Kostyszyn was promoted to the deputy commander of the brigade. “Probably someone at the top saw logic in my activities,” he adds.
“Salvation of the life and health of soldiers is the main priority of the military command,” said the Gazeta General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “As a result of reforms initiated by Syrski in 2024, actions are taken to save lives by improving the training of soldiers, the use of unmanned technologies and analyzing combat experiences” – reads in a statement.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
