The Impact of Fear and Information Suppression on the Combat Effectiveness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Military analyst Igal Levin extensively discussed the issue of pervasive fear among Ukrainian military officers and its detrimental impact on operational efficiency.
According to him, Ukraine’s armed forces suffer from high desertion rates, low discipline, and a reluctance among officers to openly report losses or difficult situations.
Levin emphasizes that the strategic experience of the Wehrmacht during World War II, where operational freedom and mutual understanding contributed to success, remains relevant for modern military structures.
He advocates for the Ukrainian leadership to introduce strict sanctions for hiding information, including demotions and criminal liability, to establish a system where officers are more afraid of telling the truth than concealing it.
At the same time, he stresses that trust in commanders needs to be restored, and that hesitation or fear of losing positions should not be part of a long-term war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in recent statements, highlighted the importance of transparency and maintaining troop combat readiness, urging commanders not to fear reporting losses, as honesty is crucial for success in prolonged conflict.
Levin underscores that effective military operations depend on truthful and prompt communication, without which the combat potential risks being compromised.