The Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the selection of commanders of all links for the 155th Brigade. At the same time, a hotline was opened for the brigade fighters. Drapatiy also assured that the problems with the brigade's supplies are being resolved.
Mykhailo Drapaty
The Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Mykhailo Drapaty called the “difficult situation with the SZCh” in the 155th Brigade “Anna Kyiv” a consequence of the low efficiency of mid-level commanders.
He wrote about this on Facebook. He said that he had recently reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces about the situation in the 155th Brigade and the decisions taken by the Ground Forces Command to support the unit and resolve problematic issues voiced by both the servicemen themselves and journalists.
“All the events with the creation of the 155th Brigade occurred before my appointment to the KSO. One considers it its duty to respond to the problems of the subordinate unit and resolve them systematically – at all levels that depend on me,” Drapatiy wrote.
According to him, during the generation of a new brigade, there is little room for a formal attitude on the part of responsible persons: this includes improper management and control over the entire process; errors in staffing, and decisions on managing the brigade's personnel that are not always balanced; imperfect training planning both in Ukraine and abroad; and a belated response from the top command to problems that arise in the process of creating and acquiring capabilities for a new combat unit of the Ground Forces.
Most of the systemic shortcomings made by the Ground Forces Command, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Operational Command at all stages of the formation of the 155th Brigade have been analyzed, assessed, and solutions are already being implemented on individual issues.
These problems will be inherent in any new unit, if it is used in combat operations immediately after formation, says Drapatiy. The high command must be aware of this and take this into account.
For now, the focus is on staffing all levels with experienced officers and commanders.
“I am personally dealing with this issue. I am ready to consider all of them, please contact me at this e-mail address: [email protected],” Drapatiy wrote.
Brigade support: “received from the commander needs, it is already being worked out at all levels. The Ministry of Defense is involved in the support process to the maximum.”
Training. The commander of the 155th brigade is taking concrete steps and has launched an effective system for increasing the additional training of his fighters.
Fighting spirit. As Drapatiy notes, the brigade personnel were approved under difficult conditions. This was not enough to create recruits – brothers.
“I was in a similar situation as a commander and I know how important this is. Especially when the brigade is already fighting. Therefore, to strengthen the brigade commander, a special group of psychologists works in the units. There are certain results, for example, the return of servicemen who voluntarily left the unit,” said the commander of the Ground Forces.
SVCh. The situation is difficult. The main challenge that the brigade faces is the low efficiency and motivation of mid-level commanders who directly manage people. This, as well as the involvement of units in combat operations, predetermines the number of SVCh in the 155th brigade.
“There is no simple recipe here – we need to work on solving all the problematic issues that determine the SZCh, not only in the Ground Forces, but in the Armed Forces as a whole. The number of SZCh in a brigade will be reduced in proportion to the decisions that will affect the combat capability and motivation of personnel,” he noted.
He noted that this is a common task of the authorities and the Defense Forces and all those responsible have received instructions.
“I am personally looking for officers whom I will recommend to the brigade commander. As soon as this issue is resolved, there will be controllability of personnel,” the general wrote.
He noted that, according to his decision, from now on, a special hotline of the Ground Forces Commander will operate for servicemen of the 155th Brigade.
“In addition to the official daily reports, I want to have direct contact and hear the fighter, to understand how much our decisions affect his motivation and the real state of affairs. Phone: 0800-500-410 (after listening – number 5). Open from 09.00 to 18.00 daily,” Drapatiy wrote.