Scandal-hit a hundred and fifty fifth Ukrainian Brigade commander in custody with $2.1 million bail, media reviews

The previous commander of the scandal-hit Ukrainian a hundred and fifty fifth "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade has been remanded in custody with a bail of Hr 90 million ($2.1 million), Hromadske reported on Jan. 22.

The courtroom's determination comes amid an investigation into allegations of poor management and widespread points throughout the unit, which was deployed close to Pokrovsk.

The brigade, initially supposed as a flagship venture for Ukrainian army modernization, was educated and outfitted with help from France and different international companions.

French President Emmanuel Macron introduced in June that France would supply coaching and army provides, together with AMX-10 armored automobiles, Caesar howitzers, and German Leopard 2A4 tanks.

An investigation by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Censor.internet, uncovered important points throughout the brigade. Butusov reported excessive numbers of troopers going absent with out official depart (AWOL) resulting from disorganization and poor management.

‘Negative lesson’ — Ground Forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigadeMykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization, during a Jan. 6 press conference.The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

The State Bureau of Investigation mentioned on Jan. 20 that the brigade commander "didn’t reply to violations in his unit, together with the unauthorized abandonment of the army unit by his fighters." If convicted, the commander faces as much as 10 years in jail.

The brigade, which has roughly 5,800 troops, confronted challenges from its inception. Based on Butusov, 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 a further 50 deserting whereas coaching in France.

Of the 1,924 troopers despatched to France for coaching, solely 51 had greater than a yr of army 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.

Kyiv court arrests 3 senior officers accused of failed defense of Kharkiv OblastA Kyiv court arrested General Yurii Halushkin, General Artur Horbenko, and Colonel Illia Lapin, three officers accused of leading an unsuccessful defense in Kharkiv Oblast during a Russian offensive last year, Suspilne reported on Jan. 21.The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek