“Desertion and Mayhem: How a French-Trained Ukrainian Soldier’s Betrayal Sparked Chaos”

**Mass Withdrawal of Ukrainian Soldiers Raises Questions about Brigade’s Readiness**

A recent development in Ukraine’s military has raised concerns about the readiness of the country’s recently formed 155th Mechanized Brigade. At least 50 members of the brigade, which is equipped with Leopard 2 main battle tanks and other advanced equipment, failed to report for training exercises in France, sparking questions about the brigade’s cohesion and effectiveness.

The 155th Mechanized Brigade is one of the few brigades operating Leopard 2 main battle tanks, which were donated by Western countries to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion. The brigade has been training in western Ukraine, Poland, and France for nine months as part of Ukraine’s efforts to create 14 new brigades equipped and prepared by the West.

However, reports indicate that about 1,700 soldiers from the brigade were absent without leave (AWOL) before a shot was fired, with many of them disappearing during exercises in France. This raises concerns about the brigade’s readiness and the effectiveness of Ukraine’s military strategy in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Ukraine’s State Investigative Service is investigating the seemingly chaotic formation of the 155th Regiment, which is expected to have more than 5,800 soldiers and be equipped with some of the best equipment, including Panther tanks and French Kaiser 155mm howitzers.

According to reports, Ukraine’s military leadership has been criticized for its decision to form rookie brigades instead of replenishing the country’s existing war-torn forces. The decision to send inexperienced recruits to France for training has also been questioned, with many of them joining the army within a short period of time before being deployed.

“This is indeed a crime, but not a crime of soldiers and officers, but a crime of the Supreme Commander, the leaders of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, who continue to work on new projects that waste lives and public funds instead of strengthening experienced, combat-capable brigades,” wrote Ukrainian war correspondent Yuri Butusov.

The 155th Mechanized Brigade’s equipment, including Panther tanks and French Kaiser 155mm howitzers, is considered some of the best in the world. The brigade’s training in France was intended to prepare it for deployment in Ukraine’s logistics hub in the eastern Donetsk region.

The mass withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers from the brigade’s training exercises in France raises questions about the brigade’s readiness and the effectiveness of Ukraine’s military strategy in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

**FAQs**

1. Why did so many Ukrainian soldiers disappear during training exercises in France?
Answer: The exact reason for the mass withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers from the training exercises is currently unknown, but it is believed to be related to issues with the brigade’s formation and training.
2. What is the 155th Mechanized Brigade?
Answer: The 155th Mechanized Brigade is a newly formed Ukrainian military unit that is equipped with some of the best equipment, including Leopard 2 main battle tanks, Panther tanks, and French Kaiser 155mm howitzers.
3. Why is the 155th Mechanized Brigade important?
Answer: The 155th Mechanized Brigade is important because it is one of the few brigades operating Leopard 2 main battle tanks, and it is expected to play a key role in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
4. What is the situation on the ground in Ukraine?
Answer: The situation on the ground in Ukraine remains chaotic, with reports of heavy fighting and casualties on both sides. The 155th Mechanized Brigade is one of the few brigades that is fully equipped and prepared to fight, but its readiness has been called into question due to issues with its formation and training.

**Conclusion**

The mass withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers from the 155th Mechanized Brigade’s training exercises in France raises concerns about the brigade’s readiness and the effectiveness of Ukraine’s military strategy in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. The decision to form rookie brigades instead of replenishing the country’s existing war-torn forces has been criticized by many, and the situation on the ground in Ukraine remains chaotic.The Disbandment of the 155th Brigade: A Lesson in Ukrainian Military Planning

The Ukrainian military’s creation of the 155th Brigade was a highly publicized effort to bolster the country’s forces, particularly in the face of Russia’s ongoing invasion. However, the brigade’s short-lived existence has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of Ukraine’s military planning and leadership.

The 155th Brigade was initially equipped with some of the best equipment, including Panther tanks. However, when the brigade deployed to Pokrovsk, it was without the essential tools of the trade, including drones (the main method of battlefield reconnaissance) and electronic warfare jammers. Instead, the brigade’s soldiers were forced to rely on makeshift methods to gather intelligence and counter enemy drones.

The lack of resources was further exacerbated by the fact that the brigade did not receive the cash it needed to purchase the drone it was supposed to receive from Kiev until just 10 days after entering the battle. As a result, new Leopard-2A4 tanks and VAB armored vehicles suffered losses during the first attempts to use enemy drones on the front lines.

The problems facing the 155th Brigade did not stop there. In just a few days of deployment, Colonel Dmytro Ryumshin was relieved of his duties as brigade commander. This move was seen as a sign of the incompetence and inefficiency of Ukrainian military leadership, particularly in the face of Russia’s superior forces.

“It’s not very surprising that the 155th Brigade didn’t last long,” said Bohdan Krotvych, chief of staff of the Ukrainian Azov Brigade. “It’s foolish to create a new brigade and equip it with such equipment when the existing equipment is incomplete. The authorities didn’t try to implement their plan effectively and efficiently.”

The disbandment of the 155th Brigade has sent shockwaves through the Ukrainian military, with many questioning the competence of the country’s leaders. The brigade’s soldiers were eventually reassigned to battle-hardened brigades already defending Pokrovsk, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ukraine’s military.

FAQ:

Q: What happened to the 155th Brigade?
A: The 155th Brigade was created by Ukraine to bolster its military forces, but it was disbanded after just a few days due to a lack of resources and effective leadership.

Q: Why didn’t the brigade receive the necessary resources?
A: The brigade did not receive the necessary resources, including drones and electronic warfare jammers, due to a lack of funding and planning.

Q: What were the consequences of not having the necessary resources?
A: The consequences were severe, with new tanks and armored vehicles suffering losses during the first attempts to use enemy drones on the front lines.

Q: How did this incident reflect on Ukrainian military leadership?
A: The incident highlighted the incompetence and inefficiency of Ukrainian military leadership, particularly in the face of Russia’s superior forces.

Conclusion:

The disbandment of the 155th Brigade serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ukraine’s military. Without effective leadership and resources, even the best-intentioned efforts can ultimately fail. It is essential that Ukraine’s leaders learn from this experience and move to address the underlying issues facing the country’s military.