Ukrainian Commanders Attribute Donbas Losses to Inadequately Trained Troops: 'Panic & Chaos'

Ukrainian Forces Losing Ground

While Kiev is celebrating its territorial gains within Russia, its forces are losing ground along the Eastern front lines in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian military commanders, the losses can be attributed to inadequately trained soldiers, some of whom are even hesitant to use their weapons.

In a conversation with the Associated Press, a battalion commander in Ukraine’s 47th Brigade stated, "Some people are reluctant to shoot. They see the enemy in the firing position in trenches but don’t open fire. … That is why our men are dying. When they don’t use the weapon, they are ineffective."

Western Support for Ukraine

In April 2022, Western leaders encouraged Kiev to abandon a diplomatic settlement with Moscow. They promised to arm, equip, and train Ukrainian soldiers to resist the Russian invaders. However, two and a half years into the conflict, it has morphed into a war of attrition. Kiev’s supporters are finding it challenging to maintain Ukraine’s military amid significant losses.

Although Kiev has not officially commented on its casualties, they are believed to be in the hundreds of thousands. Support for the war has also declined in Ukraine, prompting Kiev to conscript more Ukrainians, including increasingly younger citizens, into the military.

Training and Performance Issues

Many of these recruits and conscripts receive training in NATO countries, but according to their commanders, they are not effectively carrying out routine operations. "From the command point, I would like to issue orders to small (infantry) groups, but I am not sure if they are capable of executing these orders because they lack coordination and communication," the officer told the AP. "Sometimes, I want to shoot myself."

One soldier stated that the lack of experience is leading to territorial losses. "The main problem is the survival instinct of newcomers. Before, people could stand until the last moment to hold the position. Now, even when there is light shelling of firing positions, they are retreating," said the soldier.

"This fear creates panic and chaos," said the battalion commander in the 47th Brigade. "This is also the reason we have lost."

Recent Developments in the Conflict

Recent reports suggest that Russian forces have regained lost positions in Kursk Oblast amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks in the area on August 25. Russian forces have also made advances near and within Toretsk and southwest of Donetsk City.

Bottom Line

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to evolve, with Ukrainian forces facing significant challenges due to inadequate training and lack of experience among the troops. This situation raises critical questions about the effectiveness of military support and training provided by Western countries. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think more could be done to better prepare Ukrainian soldiers for the battlefield? Share this article with your friends, and let's get the conversation started. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which takes place every day at 6 pm.