The new 155th Brigade "Anna Kyivska", formed within the scale of the large-scale project to increase Ukraine's defense capability, faces a number of serious problems. The brigade, which is currently fighting in one of the hottest directions - Pokrovsky, has already been distinguished by major losses and chaos in internal administration. These difficulties were the result of insufficient training of personnel, as well as problems with the command.
In October 2024, the brigade went to study for France, where the preparation was trained in 1924. However, according to journalist Yuri Butusov, there were a large number of recruits who did not have experience of service: 1414 people served less than two months, and 150 fighters did not undergo basic training. As a result, about 50 soldiers were deserted during training.
In spite of the difficulties, most of the military completed their training, but the problems were not limited to training. In the fall of 2024, the brigade was replenished with more than 4,000 recruits, recruited through territorial centers of completion without proper selection, which only worsened the situation.
The Commission of the Land Forces put the blame for the escape of the military in France on the commander of the brigade Alexander Rymshin, who was accused of insufficient work with personnel. As a result, Rymshin and several staff officers were released, but the new commanders could not cope with the problems, which led to even more chaos.
In the first week of December 2024, before the active fighting, 198 cases of unauthorized abandonment of part were recorded. When the brigade was transferred to the front, the situation worsened due to insufficient preparation and lack of necessary equipment, such as drones or electronic warfare. The mortars provided by the brigade were defective.
Despite these difficulties, most fighters continue to perform their duties, trying to compensate for the command of command. However, according to Butusov, such shortcomings in the organization of preparation and management lead to significant losses among personnel.
Higher officials of Ukraine have already started investigations in criminal proceedings under articles on exceeding powers and desertion. The State Bureau of Investigation has reported that the process is ongoing and so far to talk about previous results is too early.
This situation is of concern about the effectiveness of political and military decisions and their influence on the security of the military and national defense as a whole.
