"A lot depends on commander": Syrskyi explains why some AFU brigades fail to hold line

During a three-day trip to the eastern sector of the frontline, AFU Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that some brigades cannot hold the line due to the lack of qualifications of commanders and staff, and announced personnel changes at the brigade level

He wrote about this on Telegram.

"I continue to work on the Eastern Front. Within three days, it became quite clear why, with the same manning levels of personnel, weapons and military equipment, some brigades manage to deter enemy attacks and hold their positions, while others do not," the statement reads.

According to the commander-in-chief, this primarily depends on the brigade commander, his level of training, experience, ability to make well-considered decisions, and understanding of the full extent of responsibility for the fulfillment of assigned tasks and for the lives and health of his subordinates. 

In addition, Syrskyi said that the level of training and coherence of the brigade headquarters, through which the commander exercises his powers, is of great importance.

He noted that groups of specialists had been sent to certain brigades where there were problems with staff training to share their experience and provide assistance.

The Commander-in-Chief emphasized that he had made all the necessary decisions to provide the brigades with reserves, ammunition, drones and other equipment.

"In some cases, when a commander is not aware of the situation and actions and commands directly threaten the lives and health of his subordinates, I am forced to make personnel decisions," the general said.

The Commander-in-Chief praised the soldiers of the 54th Brigade, whose artillery destroyed two Russian convoys, as well as the soldiers of the 25th, 47th and 79th Brigades defending Orlivka, Berdychi and Novomykhailivka.

"I note as positive the replacement of one brigade on the front line after two years of continuous fighting and its relocation to the rear to restore combat capability," added Syrskyi.