The AFU mechanised brigade transferred from Chasov Yar near Toretsk was unprepared for the Russian offensive due to unfamiliarity with the terrain and slow and senseless orders from the command, resulting in their surrendering their positions in a matter of days, the New York Times reported citing Ukrainian military officials.
According to the New York Times, soldiers of the 24th brigade of the AFU in May 2024 warned their superiors of signs of a Russian offensive on Toretsk and cautioned against rotating “at such a critical moment.” Nevertheless, in June, the 41st Brigade moved out of Chasov Yar and the 24th Brigade arrived in Chasov Yar; two days after the rotation was completed, they were attacked.
“Almost immediately it became clear that the 41st was not ready to defend Toretsk because it did not know the terrain, soldiers from several battalions said in interviews and public statements. The brigade commander was also criticised for giving unclear orders and not reacting quickly to the changing threat environment,” the publication said.
Senior AFU lieutenant Yevgeny Strokan told the New York Times that “there were losses in the battalion because of the nonsensical orders of the senior commander” of the brigade. Roman Kulyak, deputy commander of the 206th Territorial Defence Battalion, told the newspaper that the commander of the 41st Brigade, and the General Staff, which handles overall military strategy, were responsible for the fact that “positions held for years fell in a matter of days”.
“The 41st Brigade did not respond to requests for an interview, but released a statement saying that it is “outraged by this incomprehensible and strange campaign to discredit the command of our unit and our fighters”,” – noted in the material.