Zelensky: The army requires more systemic changes to enhance the effectiveness of personnel management.

President Zelensky made this statement during his evening video address.

Following the results, he emphasized that the army needs more internal, systemic changes so that personnel management at all levels of the Defense Forces becomes effective. Zelensky was also informed about the responsible commanders for the formation and training of our brigades.

The President also discussed the Kursk operation. According to him, there is success in maintaining a buffer zone and eliminating Russian forces there. Zelensky stated that during five operations in the Kursk region, Russia has lost 38,000 personnel, with 15,000 of those being irretrievable.

Additionally, the defense of frontline directions, especially Pokrovsk, was discussed at the Headquarters. The President expressed gratitude to all the soldiers who are holding the defense there.

What preceded this?

Journalist Yuriy Butusov reported that 1,700 servicemen from the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Anna of Kyiv deserted even before the unit fired its first shot.

The journalist describes the formation of the brigade as a complete organizational chaos in virtually all components. He noted that since March, when the brigade was being formed, a certain number of fighters have left the SOCH every month. By October, when the brigade went for training in France, there were already 935 SOCH. In France itself, another 50 brigade members deserted.

The State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) noted that the investigation is "examining the facts presented in the media," having opened criminal cases on charges of desertion and abuse of power or official authority by military officials.

Later, Butusov reported that the issue of the 155th brigade was discussed at the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters, and Zelensky took personal control of the investigation.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, publicly ordered an increase in the drone unit of the 155th brigade after Butusov's report that the brigade lacked the necessary number of drones and electronic warfare equipment, which led to losses of its new Western weaponry during its initial attempts to deploy it at the front.