Ukraine‘s "Anna of Kyiv" Brigade: A Tale of Faceless Commanders, Mass Desertions, and Poor Equipment
In a damning expose, journalist Yury Butusov has laid bare the grim reality of Ukraine’s newly formed Pokrovsk: Leopard 2s and Caesars Deploy</strong>"</p>”>155th Mechanized Brigade, "Anna of Kyiv", currently engaged in fierce battles near Pokrovsk. The State Bureau of Investigations (GBR) has confirmed it is probing allegations of abuse of power and desertion within the brigade.
The creation of the "Anna of Kyiv" brigade was part of a grand project by Ukrainian authorities to establish 14 new brigades, each costing an estimated €900 million. However, it appears that haste and lack of planning have led to a disaster that is costing Ukrainian lives.
From its inception in March 2024, the 155th brigade was beset by chaos. Commanded by an experienced officer, Dmitry Ryshchin, the brigade’s formation was entrusted to the Western Operational Command (OK West), led by General Shvedyuk and Colonel Seleckiy, with overall supervision by General Pavlyuk. Yet, as Butusov reported, OK West lacked personnel, equipment, and resources, leading to a shambolic beginning that saw soldiers desert en masse.
In October 2024, the brigade was sent to France for training. However, out of the 1924 soldiers sent, only 51 had more than a year of military experience, and a staggering 1414 were new recruits, serving less than two months, with around 150 having not even completed their initial basic training. Predictably, around 50 soldiers deserted while in France.
Upon returning to Ukraine, the brigade’s commanders struggled to manage their rapidly growing ranks. Without proper training or equipment, the brigade was sent into battle, resulting in significant casualties.
The GBR is investigating allegations that Commander Ryshchin and other officers were negligent in preventing the desertions and ensuring the brigade’s readiness for combat. Butusov also alleges that the brigade was inadequately equipped, lacking drones and electronic warfare capabilities, and even receiving faulty 120mm mortar rounds.
Butusov condemns the political and military leadership’s "crime" of sacrificing soldiers’ lives and squandering state funds on ill-prepared units while veteran brigades are neglected. He calls for accountability, stating, "This is not the fault of the soldiers and officers, but of the leaders who continue to rush into new projects without first ensuring old ones are strengthened and adequately supplied."
As the conflict in Ukraine grinds on, the fate of the "Anna of Kyiv" brigade serves as a stark reminder that winning wars requires more than noble intentions and international funding; it demands competent planning, adequate preparation, and responsible leadership.
Source: Butusov (Facebook), Advisor to the Communications Department of the State Bureau of Investigation, Tatyana Sapiya, in comments to UP
