Ukraine demotes commander who gave interview about ill-trained troops

Despite the risks, he hoped the United States would ensure better training for Ukrainian soldiers, including some who entered the battle without knowing how to throw grenades or handle weapons. He said in an interview that some had abandoned their positions while under Russian fire.

Ukrainian military and government officials did not immediately respond to the Post’s request for comment on the situation in Kupole on Thursday night.

However, Airborne Assault Force spokesman Valentin Shevchenko confirmed to Ukrainian Pravda news site that Kupol had been removed from command of the battalion and reassigned to a training center. Shevchenko said Kupole had not obtained permission from his commander to speak to the press if necessary and had exaggerated the loss of troops and the low level of training of replacement troops.

Kupole’s punishment has sparked outrage among some in Ukraine, who said Kupole’s comments reflected a necessary truth that Ukrainian leaders were reluctant to hear.

Ukraine Short of Skilled Troops and Munitions, Losses and Pessimism Rise

Kupole expressed concern as Russian and Ukrainian forces were embroiled in intense artillery fire and neither side appears strong enough to make serious territorial gains.Russian leaders claims that the objectives of the war will be achieved, including the occupation of four regions in southeastern Ukraine. Ukraine is gearing up for what many analysts expect to be a spring counterattack that will require significant manpower and ammunition to push Russian forces out of territory they control.

Kupole and other military officials warn that the task will be extremely difficult as many of Ukraine’s most experienced combatants have been wounded or killed. , American and European officials estimate as many as 120,000 dead and wounded. Russia is believed to have lost about 200,000 people, but has a much higher population.

“They are exactly the people we need on the front line,” Ukrainian parliamentarian Oleksiy Goncharenko wrote of Kupol on his Telegram channel. “He stressed in an interview that soldiers should be better trained. Of course, the more prepared a warrior is, the better he can fight. What’s wrong here?” I think this story should be made public.”

Another lawmaker, Volodymyr Aliyev, wrote on Facebook: “This government only wants to hear what they want.”

Traumatic stress, invisible wounds hamper Ukrainian soldiers

Noted Ukrainian war correspondent Yuri Butusov said that Kupole’s army would suffer from his departure. Butusov expressed his hope that Kupole would be reinstated and that the military leadership would be happy to hear the hard truth.

“We must beat Russia head-on and in our heads,” Butusov wrote on Facebook.

He said 100 of the Kupole Battalion’s 500-strong force were killed and 400 wounded last year. Due to the heavy casualties, he was put in charge of an inexperienced new army that was expected to deploy soon despite its apparent lack of training.

In an interview, Kupole admitted that his remarks could lead to disciplinary action. said.

“Do you know what our commander’s problem is?” he added. “They have a narrow circle, so bad news doesn’t get to them. They filter out bad news.”

Khursudian reported from New York. Serhiy Morgunov of Kiev contributed to this report.