59th Brigade has a new commander

The 59th Separate Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems, currently fighting on one of the most difficult sections of the Pokrovsk front, has undergone a change in command — Colonel Oleksandr Sak has replaced Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Shevchuk as brigade commander, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

The change of brigade commander occurred on May 15–16. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the decision to remove Bohdan Shevchuk was not made by Vadym Sukharevskyi, the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces (under whose command the 59th Brigade has been since early 2025), but directly by the Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi. However, Sukharevskyi reportedly also had strained relations with Shevchuk.

The reasons for the sudden replacement of the brigade commander have not yet been officially disclosed. Oleksandr Sak was, until just a few days ago, commander of the 53rd Mechanized Brigade. He led the brigade since November 2024, as MilitaryLand reported.

Bohdan Shevchuk

Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Shevchuk, born in 1992, is a Ukrainian military officer who has held several key leadership roles during the ongoing war. He began his service as a company commander in the 132nd Reconnaissance Battalion, later advancing to the position of deputy battalion commander. In 2023, he assumed command of a battalion within the 68th Jaeger Brigade. By February 2024, he was appointed as the commander of the 59th Assault Brigade, then designated as a Motorized Brigade.

Shevchuk’s leadership has been the subject of significant controversy, particularly following the loss of Krasnohorivka and nearby strategic positions under his command. While described by some as a young and energetic officer, critics—including soldiers who served under him—argued that he lacked the experience necessary to command a brigade-level unit. He faced accusations of inadequate operational planning, poor personnel management, and decisions that led to unnecessary casualties.