Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to redirect mobilization resources to support the existing combat brigades of the Defense Forces.

This was reported by journalist Yurii Butusov, citing his own sources.

“Three days ago, at a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff, after hearing a report, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Volodymyr Zelensky decided to stop sending replenishment of personnel to form new brigades in the Defense Forces,” Butusov said.

According to this decision, all mobilized personnel should be sent to replenish “exclusively to experienced combat brigades.”

Butusov explaines that this decision was made because of the critical problems of the newly created brigades, such as the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, formed in May 2024.

According to him, such units cannot replace the so-called old brigades in certain areas of the frontline on their own due to the inexperience of commanders, poor training of personnel, and low level of equipment and reconnaissance drones.

Zelensky’s decision should solve the long-standing problem of the low priority given to the “old brigades” in terms of personnel, which has led to a steady decline in their combat readiness.

“The command sent one of the battalions of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade to the battle near Pokrovsk in the 155th Brigade’s line with the task of taking one of the positions. The battalion arrived in full force to fulfill the task and sent all available soldiers – 8 infantrymen. It was a battalion of one of our best and most experienced brigades that was left without replenishment,” Butusov says, noting the consequences of this policy.

Reaction to the problems of the 155th Brigade

Earlier, journalist Yurii Butusov reported on the facts of improper formation and provision of the newly created 155th Mechanized Brigade. There were reports of desertions, in particular during training in France. The State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into this.

According to Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the formation of the brigade there was a formal attitude on the part of those in charge: This included inadequate management and control of the entire process; mistakes in recruitment and not always well-considered decisions on the management of the brigade’s personnel; imperfect planning of training both in Ukraine and abroad; and a delayed reaction of the high command to the problems that arose in the process of creating and acquiring capabilities by the new combat unit of the Land Forces.

He assured that most of the systemic shortcomings committed by the Land Forces Command, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the Operational Command at all stages of the 155th Brigade’s formation have been analyzed, assessed, and solutions to some issues are already being implemented.

Currently, the Ground Forces Command is focused on manning the brigade with experienced officers and commanders of all ranks. At the same time, the Ministry of Defence will work to provide the brigade with maximum support.