Syrskyi pointed out the key problem of the new AFU brigades
The main difficulty in creating new brigades in the Ukrainian Defence Forces lies in finding trained commanders who can lead them. The number of brigades has increased, and each must be led by an experienced military officer.
This was stated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, in an interview with journalist Andriy Tsapliyenko, published on the evening of Sunday, January 19. The issue of brigade rotation arises—their replacement and withdrawal to restore combat capability.
"How do you carry out (rotation. – Ed) if you have neither reserve nor brigade? Of course, the process of adapting a new brigade is a complex one. Since we now have so many brigades, there is, in fact, a problem with trained commanders who can lead this brigade. And the brigade itself must acquire combat traditions. Of course, it is not an easy task. After all, a morally prepared and cohesive team for difficult actions is needed," Syrskyi stated.
According to him, all brigades have already gone through a certain period of adaptation and show results no worse than the older brigades.
The military leader noted that at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in the winter of 2022, the Armed Forces had about 12 brigades. Subsequently, their number increased.
"Of course, they should not be increased indefinitely. The General Staff has calculated how many brigades and units are needed for successful defense and offensive actions," he added.
Syrsky noted that during the battles for Avdiivka, all brigades were on the line of combat contact, and when the enemy started the Kharkiv offensive, and then the Armed Forces launched the Kursk operation, 255 km of active front were added.
"How can those brigades, which were on the front line, cover an additional 255 km? The issue of brigade rotation also arose, their withdrawal to restore combat capability. How do you carry out [rotation] if you have no reserve?" he added.
20 January 2025 г., 07:48
