Journalist Yuriy Butusov announced his intention and decision to mobilize into the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine, which came as a surprise to the broader public and military experts
Known for his objective investigations and sharp publications regarding the situation on the front line, Butusov explained in his comment to Radio "Svoboda" that he took this step in response to a lack of clear leadership communication and internal conflicts within the military command. According to the journalist, his decision was driven by deep disappointment with the state of affairs in military leadership, particularly the situation surrounding the 47th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade (OMBр), whose commander, Oleksandr Shyrshyna, recently made a public statement expressing dissatisfaction with the existing leadership. In one of his posts, he sharply criticized the command for unreasonable objectives and unjustified human losses in Kursk, which caused widespread resonance and discussions among military experts, veterans, and society. Oleksandr Shyrshyna also reported that he submitted a resignation letter because his demands and remarks were ignored. Yuriy Butusov emphasizes that war requires concrete decisions and decisive actions, so his personal decision to serve in the army is logical and justified. He states that he intends to be part of real processes capable of changing the situation at the front, and believes that his military service will help him better understand the depth of the problems and possible ways to address them. Previously, in a comment published by official structures, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that a special working group had been created to thoroughly examine the circumstances outlined in the publication by Battalion "Magura" commander Oleksandr Shyrshyna, known by the call sign "Genius." The General Staff emphasized that, following the investigation, appropriate decisions would be made, and measures would be taken to eliminate potential deficiencies and prevent similar incidents in the future. Regarding the reaction of military commanders, it was quite harsh towards Shyrshyna's position. Other units and officers openly criticized his statements and unfounded accusations. Later, Oleksandr Shyrshyna confirmed that his decision to publish the report and express discontent was driven by a series of official and unofficial appeals that went unanswered, leading him to act openly to draw attention to urgent problems. Overall, this situation vividly illustrates the internal conflict within the military command and the growing dissatisfaction among soldiers regarding systemic flaws in the organization and management of the front. At the same time, Yuriy Butusov's act of deciding to join the military ranks independently sent an additional signal about how urgent reforms in the military leadership system are and the need to increase transparency and openness in defining strategies and tactics of conduct in combat.