Highlights
- Ukraine’s 155th Mechanized Brigade faced heavy losses before reaching the frontline.
- Nearly 1,700 troops went AWOL during a nine-month training period.
- Leadership and organizational failures weakened the brigade’s readiness.
- Critical resources were allocated to inexperienced troops.
- Surviving forces were reassigned to veteran brigades after initial setbacks.
- Political pressures influenced the formation of new units over reinforcing old ones.
Ukraine’s 155th Mechanized Brigade, equipped with advanced German-made Leopard 2 tanks and French Caesar howitzers, was formed to bolster defenses against a massive Russian assault near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
However, even before reaching the front lines, the brigade suffered a series of setbacks that exposed significant organizational and leadership issues.
Leadership and Organizational Gaps
The brigade, initially set to deploy over 5,800 troops, saw nearly 1,700 of its soldiers go absent without leave (AWOL) during a nine-month training period in western Ukraine, Poland, and France.
As recently as November, around 500 soldiers were still missing. Analysts attribute these issues to poor leadership and the hurried creation of new brigades at the expense of reinforcing existing experienced units.
Lt. Col. Bohdan Krotevych of Ukraine’s Azov Brigade voiced concerns over the inefficiency of forming new brigades while veteran units remain understrength. He questioned whether it was wise to allocate critical resources like tanks and artillery to inexperienced troops.
Heavy Losses and Immediate Reassignment
When the 155th Mechanized Brigade finally joined the battle near Pokrovsk, it suffered devastating losses, including soldiers, tanks, and armored vehicles.
Reports suggest that this was due to inadequate preparation, lack of cohesive leadership, and insufficient training of its personnel.
War correspondent Yuriy Butusov noted that the Ukrainian leadership rushed to create the brigade without providing it the time and resources needed to form a combat-ready team.
The losses compelled military leaders to integrate the surviving personnel and equipment into more experienced brigades operating in the region.
Political Over Military Strategy
The formation of the 155th Mechanized Brigade highlights the tension between political and military strategies in Ukraine.
Under intense pressure to demonstrate strength to international allies, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration prioritized showcasing new units.
However, this decision has raised criticism from military experts who argue that reinforcing existing, battle-hardened brigades would have been a more effective approach.
