Defense Forces disband two Tactical Groups

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have disbanded two major Operational Tactical Units (OTUs) — Donetsk and Luhansk — as part of the ongoing transition to a corps-brigade structure.

The restructuring is primarily organizational, with little impact on the frontline. Brigadier General Serhiy Sirchenko, who simultaneously commanded both OTU Luhansk and the 11th Army Corps, will continue leading operations in the same area — the frontline around Chasiv Yar and Siversk — now under the direct control of the 11th Army Corps.

Similarly, the 9th Army Corps, led by Major General Viktor Nikolyuk — who also simultaneously commanded OTU Donetsk — is taking over responsibility for the same operational area near Pokrovsk, one of the hottest and hottest sectors of the front.

Subordinate tactical groups, including Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka, have also been disbanded as part of the wider structural shift.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, OTU Kharkiv and OTU Starobilsk continue to operate under the previous format.

Tactical Groups

Operational Tactical Units (OTUs) and Tactical Groups are temporary command structures within the Ukrainian Defense Forces, established in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. They were created to oversee and coordinate troops operating directly in combat zones and surrounding areas. Their authority is limited to the forces deployed within their assigned areas of responsibility. The structure and role of these units were explored in detail by MilitaryLand in the article “The Role of Tactical Groups and Corps in the Armed Forces,” published in November last year.