Loyalty Over Legacy: Sirskyi’s New Army

Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the headquarters of the 225th Assault Regiment — the unit credited with being the first to enter Russia’s Kursk Oblast last year. During the visit, the regiment’s commander, Major Oleh Shiryaev, formally requested that the unit be expanded into a full brigade. In response, Zelenskyy promised to raise the matter with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Sirskyi.

The 225th is not the only unit under consideration for expansion. The 425th Assault Regiment “Skala” is also reportedly set to be elevated to brigade level in the near future.

Loyalty Above All

Since General Sirskyi assumed leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2023, a noticeable shift has occurred in how resources and recognition are distributed within the army. Loyalty — not just performance — has become a determining factor.

The 225th and 425th regiments have indeed proven themselves as highly effective combat units. But part of their success stems from the preferential treatment they receive. These units were handpicked by Sirskyi, given Western equipment, prioritized for mobilized reinforcements, and generally well-supported — all in return for their unwavering execution of orders and public support for the general’s leadership.

Sirskyi is known to personally visit these units on the front lines, often appearing in photos and videos where he is warmly received by the troops. These visits serve both morale and public relations.

However, this favoritism has bred resentment elsewhere in the military. Units that raise concerns, question orders — especially when doing so to preserve the lives of their soldiers — are often met with punitive measures. In many cases, this begins with an internal audit of the brigade and ends with the dismissal of its commander.

Notably, only a few units are immune from this dynamic — namely the 3rd Assault Brigade and the National Guard’s Azov Brigade. Their popularity and combat record make them too politically and publicly influential to be subjected to such retribution.

The New Army on the rise

The expansion of select assault regiments into brigades marks the emergence of a new Ukrainian Army — one increasingly shaped by loyalty and political favor. But this transformation comes at the expense of veteran units that have been holding the line since the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Many of Ukraine’s mechanized brigades, especially those formed before invasion, are now severely depleted. Some operate at just 30% of their intended manpower, such as 30th Mechanized Brigade and 72nd Mechanized Brigade. They rely heavily on pre-war stockpiles, captured enemy vehicles, and civilian donations to stay operational. Unlike the favored assault units, these brigades often find themselves under scrutiny. They are frequent targets of internal commissions, and their commanders are regularly dismissed under the pretext of poor performance — despite the impossible conditions they face.