For the second time in a month, a newly formed Ukrainian army brigade, the 157th Mechanized Brigade, is disintegrating as it deploys to the front line in Pokrovsk, a crucial sector in Russia's ongoing 35-month war on Ukraine.
The brigade's collapse is largely due to inadequate combat training and poor leadership.
According to a relative of a brigade trooper, the 157th Mechanized Brigade was sent to the front lines without proper training, resulting in heavy casualties.
This mirrors the situation of other brigades in the 150th series, which were hastily deployed without proper training.
The 157th Mechanized Brigade is one of eight 150-series brigades formed in 2023 or early 2024. These brigades are large but fragile, with inexperienced leaders, too few modern armored vehicles, and poor morale.
The lack of experienced troops has led to a high desertion rate and poor combat effectiveness.
Critics argue that the Ukrainian general staff should have broken up the demoralized brigades before they reached the front. Instead, leaders in Kyiv prioritized showing foreign allies that they could expand the Ukrainian army and sustain the fight against Russia.
This decision has led to the collapse of two brigades, the 155th and 157th Mechanized Brigades.
However, there is reason to be optimistic. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly halted the formation of new brigades and ordered new recruits to join existing units. This directive may help address the issues plaguing the Ukrainian army.
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