Commanders of 10th and 54th Brigades Dismissed

Following the rapid loss of the city of Siversk, north of Bakhmut, Ukraine’s senior military command has removed the commanders of two brigades from their posts: Colonel Oleksiy Konoval, commander of the 54th Mechanized Brigade, and Colonel Volodymyr Potyeshkin, commander of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade. This was reported by Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources within the Defense Forces.

The 54th Mechanized Brigade was responsible for the direct defense of Siversk, while the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade was positioned to the south of the city. An inspection team has also been dispatched to the headquarters of both brigades.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, the dismissals were prompted by false reports submitted by both brigades regarding the state of defenses around Siversk and the situation on the battlefield. These discrepancies came to light only after the city had been lost.

In addition, the 11th Army Corps—under which both brigades were temporarily subordinated—has had its area of responsibility reduced. In its place, a temporary formation, Tactical Group Soledar, has been re-established. The tactical group is commanded by Brigadier General Denys Maistrenko, head of the 169th Training Center. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the headquarters of the 11th Army Corps had trusted the leadership of the 54th and 10th Brigades, and routine inspections had failed to reveal any problems.

The commander of Task Force East, Brigadier General Dmytro Bratishko, under whose authority the 11th Army Corps operates, reacted angrily upon learning of the loss of Siversk. He demanded that the Ukrainian flag be raised over the city “at any cost.” Subsequently, a flag was carried by a drone and placed on a railway station building in Siversk. According to the report, this action had no operational significance and served only as a symbolic gesture.

From the trenches

According to relatives and servicemen from the brigades deployed around Siversk, both units are severely depleted and have received almost no reinforcements, as newly mobilized personnel are being redirected to assault units in the south.

At the same time, Russian forces have intensified drone activity and air strikes in the Siversk area, rendering many Ukrainian defensive positions vulnerable. A sergeant from one of the brigades operating in the sector said that multiple KAB guided bombs are being used against Ukrainian positions every day, penetrating even deeply dug fortifications. Rotations are conducted exclusively on foot. Soldiers deployed to frontline positions report going without sleep for several days due to constant pressure and the lack of relief.