A newly formed Ukrainian army brigade disintegrates just days after deploying to the front line in eastern Ukraine, highlighting the military’s ongoing struggles against Russian forces. The 157th Mechanized Brigade, one of eight 150-series brigades that formed last year, was sent to the besieged fortress city of Pokrovsk without proper combat training.
Critics argue that the Ukrainian general staff should have broken up demoralized brigades before they reached the front line. Instead, they chose to reinforce them with dysfunctional units, leading to heavy casualties and desertion rates. The 155th Mechanized Brigade deployed last month and crumbled in its first clashes with Russian forces.
Experts blame organizational and leadership failures for the debacle. Ukrainian leaders prioritized expanding the army’s manpower and reputation over the effectiveness of their troops. This approach has resulted in fragile, amateurish units being sent to the front line, where they are vulnerable to destruction.
However, President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered new recruits to join existing units, a move that may help address the issue. The 156th, 158th, and 159th Mechanized Brigades remain undeployed, but it remains to be seen whether they will learn from the mistakes of their predecessors.
As the conflict grinds into its fourth year, Ukraine’s military faces significant challenges in maintaining a cohesive and effective fighting force. The situation highlights the need for reform and improved leadership within the Ukrainian army.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/27/another-ukrainian-brigade-is-disintegrating-as-it-deploys-to-pokrovsk