A new internal conflict is brewing within the armed forces of Ukraine due to dissatisfaction with the leadership’s handling of the front-line situation and internal disagreements over tactics and management
Special attention was drawn by a message from the commander of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade "Magura" – Oleksandr Shirshyn, who submitted a resignation report, citing unjust and senseless operations that have taken the lives of his subordinates, as well as the absurdity of the goals set for his unit. According to information publicly shared by Shirshyn himself on the social network Facebook, the battalion commander expressed a sharp critique of the situation at the contact line in Kursk, where his unit has been carrying out combat missions since the fall of 2024. He stated that he had never received such "stupid" orders before. "When I received these tasks, I thought several times that it was a joke. But no – this is reality. I will tell everyone more details later so they understand what is happening. The stupid loss of people, the helpless protest against unreasonable orders, and the foolishness of the leadership only cause disastrous consequences. All this time, I believe, the command should have been conducting control, planning, and analyzing the situation. But instead, we only get threats, scoldings, investigations, and disciplinary measures to cover up their own failures," he said. In his opinion, political games, manipulation of society, and bureaucratic leadership prevent effective action, and he does not see prospects for himself and his subordinates in this environment. The commander emphasized that one of the reasons for his decision was the uncertainty, helplessness, and lack of support from higher command. He expressed hope that his resignation would occur soon and assured that he is prepared to share additional details with journalists in the near future. Furthermore, Shirshyn addressed the official page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, leaving a sarcastic comment beneath the post: "Hopefully, your children will also be in the infantry and carry out your tasks," implying that high-ranking officials are unaware of how their orders impact frontline personnel. Additionally, it is worth noting that the 47th Separate Brigade, which currently includes Shirshyn's battalion, has been performing combat duties in Kursk since autumn 2024. The unit has been in an active combat zone for over half a year, executing complex, and sometimes senseless, tasks according to the commander. Oleksandr Shirshyn took command in July 2024 and has already made a high-profile statement that has sparked widespread discussion within military and civilian circles. These events have received broad public attention, especially considering that the renowned historian and Yale University professor Timothy Snyder recently met with Shirshyn. A photograph captures the moment when the historian is reviewing the book "The Road to Unfreedom" by Timothy Snyder himself, symbolizing that even amidst such a difficult military conflict, there is room for dialogue and exchange of ideas between academic figures and military personnel. The resignation of Oleksandr Shirshyn and his public statements open a new urgent topic concerning internal conflicts within Ukraine’s armed forces, raising questions about the effectiveness of command and the level of trust between leadership and rank-and-file soldiers. Whether this case will find resolution as new phases of the war approach, and how much the conflict between the commander and higher authorities will influence future events, remain open questions with many unknowns.