Floor Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi ordered an inspection of the scandal-hit Ukrainian one hundred and fifty fifth "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade following misconduct allegations throughout the brigade's command, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Could 19.
Drapatyi mentioned this in a written assertion to Ukrainska Pravda after the outlet revealed an investigation right into a attainable involvement of the brigade's commander, Colonel Taras Maksimov, in handing out falsified bonus funds and demanding bribes.
The investigation additionally famous over 1,200 circumstances of personnel going absent with out official depart (AWOL) since 2025 and failure to sufficiently provide the unit.
The Western-trained brigade had beforehand confronted a scandal in 2024, the place a media investigation uncovered rampant mismanagement and desertion among the many personnel, resulting in an inspection and a command change.
In early Could, a brand new controversy arose after regulation enforcement officers detained the appearing commander of the unmanned techniques battalion of the one hundred and fifty fifth Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Sviatoslav Shumsky.
In accordance with investigators, the officer demanded bribes from his subordinates to grant them falsified bonuses for allegedly collaborating in fight on the entrance line.
Ukrainska Pravda's sources within the brigade mentioned that Shumsky was merely an middleman between service members and the command, and that related schemes seemingly function in different battalions.
Maksimov's attainable involvement within the scheme is underneath investigation, the outlet mentioned, citing regulation enforcement sources.
In response to Ukrainska Pravda's inquiry, Drapatyi emphasised that he devoted a lot time to establishing the one hundred and fifty fifth Separate Mechanized Brigade, discovering a succesful command, increase its fight functionality, and offering it with drones.
The commander added that Maksimov's candidacy for the one hundred and fifty fifth Brigade commander place was additionally chosen by Volodymyr Shvediuk, the chief of the Western Operational Command.
Drapatyi mentioned that when on the lookout for a candidate, he thought-about private expertise, suggestions from his comrades, and the outcomes of Maksimov's earlier service. Drapatyi added that different candidates have been additionally thought-about, however some had a decrease skilled stage, and a few refused due to different provides.
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The commander talked about that the brigade was uncoordinated and poorly ready on the time of the change of command. In Drapatyi's opinion, Maksimov's appointment considerably improved the brigade's situation and fight functionality.
"Regardless of the achievements, I cannot cowl for anybody — there are not any untouchables for me. I'm ready for the outcomes of all of the inspections and what the investigation will discover," Drapatyi mentioned, including that the investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) remains to be ongoing.
"The command… is totally dedicated to exposing all these concerned within the extortion. I need to emphasize to everybody who organizes such schemes: robbing their very own brigade, mocking their comrades, benefiting from blood. The punishment might be extreme," he added.
The brigade, initially supposed as a flagship undertaking for Ukrainian navy modernization, was educated and geared up with help from France and different international companions.
The brigade, which has roughly 5,800 troops, confronted challenges from its inception. In accordance with an investigation by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Censor.internet, 2,500 service members have been reassigned to different items earlier than coaching started, depleting its skilled personnel.
Between March and November 2024, over 1,700 troopers reportedly deserted their posts, with an extra 50 deserting whereas coaching in France.
Of the 1,924 troopers despatched to France for coaching, solely 51 had greater than a yr of navy service, whereas 1,414 had served fewer than two months. Replenishment efforts introduced in new recruits, however Butusov claimed correct choice processes have been typically uncared for, exacerbating the unit's operational challenges.
The media investigation prompted a high-level inquiry and led to the dismissal and detention of its then-commander, Colonel Dmytro Riumshyn. Maksimov was appointed to take his place.
The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell