Well, while reading again about Syrskiy, seems to be enticing and important, -- I am not into it. I myself went through quite a few turns of "Ah, but this one is much better then the other and that is clear now." The first one was Mr. Zahorodniuk -- "oh, but this one is from civil society, has so much experience with ministry reforms, and is so keen on army to change, he is definitely the one." Next is Mr. Taran -- "well, the previous one had not enough experience with system and had not enough will, so nothing could change, but this one, true fields general, having first hand experience of the war will." And then Gen. Zaluzhniy went, and then Gen. Sirskiy went, and now Gen. Drapaty. My experience so far tells me that this another change will change nothing, of course enthusiast in me is hoping.
So, until I am hearing from any of those any drop of systematic thinking, I am not into it.
So far I heard some tidbits of sense from Mr. Zhumadilov. And from Mr. Brovdi. Although in both cases I am still not convinced. But then the question is really of the critical mass of their teams and supporters, in various places. And once this start happening, everybody is starting to cry about nepotism, etc.
So I do not care about nepotism, on any level for that matter, Messrs. Yermak/Zelenskiy included, while people in question have a vision, systematic thinking and will to implement it. Even if it is not "ideal" vision.
But unfortunately politics does not work like that. And when one needs to receive "likes", then another "great field general" like Mr. Suharevskiy is appointed to a place where it does not belong.
I personally believe, that the area would really benefit from a few seriously successful managers from civil life. That had experience of various corporations, while changing systems, achieving targets and materialising vision. All others could be "advisors", but no more. But those are shied by voters (and thinkers alike :)) to the greatest extent.
Since Zelensky/Yermak are managing high ranking posts (and pretty much everything else) based on social media mood, why have they note fired Syrsky and promoted Drapaty instead ? Since most of social medias appear to criticise the former and praise the later.
Make sense, tragic as it is but it's true. Still, wouldn't it be good for Zelensky and his buddies to limit how much Syrsky fucks up the front line just a bit more? Not sure losing men, materials and land are doing anyone any good.
Сумно читати такі речі, на жаль є така риса у українців, у деяких як повна відбитісить від реальності, а може це свідомо робиться, він же у москві навчався, коли людина робить свідомо провальні дії- значить це навмисна шкода!
Зовсім не обов'язково. Зеленський, інтелектуальні і моральні якості якого дуже далекі від ідеалу, підібрав гідного собі, ще й при цьому особисто відданого і безвідмовного у виконанні будь яких забаганок, Сирського.
Війська це не юніти, ти не можеш завантажити і почати все заново, приходиться бусифікувати, я про те як людський ресурс злочинно використовується.
Просто свідомо знищується, я не здивуюся що під наказом кримінальної відповідальності до прив'язки території і часу, криється передача цих самих даних кацапам, а потім туди йдуть прильоти*!? Він же родом з під москви, і цим багато чого сказано.
Ironically, Zelensky probably is considered "Mr. Great" in the U.S. by pro-Ukrainian supporters. I don't understand why even a civilian leader without any military experience can be oblivious to the failures ascribed to Syrsky and Yermak as described in this particular Substack article and so many others that have been posted previously. Such inaction does not seem reasonable to me even for the minimally intellectual leader, even pertinent to an evil dufus (OK dumpf) such as the Orange Haired Wonder. Cynically I would observe that such behavior and actions effectively contribute helpfully to the Russian cause. How ironic.
Ironically, I consider Syrskiy to be extremely effective given the circumstances. Though his place or role should not be having so wide responsibilities.
Why? Just because many have quite rosy outlook regarding the rest of the system. The major part of it (say 70%), down do the last soldier, is completely unmotivated and unwilling, and even afraid of any minor change. Because in a real change that promotes effective people to be in charge, many, quite many, will lose their places.
And some of those, are really really nasty people, and need to be simply discharged once and for all. But were to find thousands of people to replace them, that have good health, some training and motivated?
So Syrskiy is a bad answer to a bad question. If Drapatiy already now is not happy that his orders are not followed, then he has nothing to do in this system. For there are sharks upon sharks, and being a general or not, you either make people to follow your orders. Or they will ignore you and do their thing, which is making their own life better. I understand that it looks like Biletskiy, Prokopenko and so on, are being stopped "by nasty generals" from building the "brave new army". But it is army at large, that does not want to become "Brave New Army".
If I think I understand correctly that which you have written, then I would conclude from it that Ukraine as a whole--society, culture, governmental institutions--is still pretty much a creature of the Soviet Union. I.e., pretty much still Sovietized.
Well not exactly. It is a post-soviet thing though. Basically people allow themselves what they are not dare to do in the West. Basically, the sense of it, if you are not making your life and life of your family as comfortable as possible using every avenue you have available, then you are simply stupid. And since people are very inventive, many get their lives extremely luxurious and comfortable.
So then this mindset, even if not shared by all, puts a print on every part of society.
And there are still other people, say "new generation" that say "look, I do not want to have anything common with either such mindset or systems full of it". So they build "new generation" companies, use extremely advanced management and ways organise business. But will never participate in a government organs or army, or anything like that. And there is a mix of those, were ones and the others co-exist. But in the end of the day, only one of those wins in any particular organisation. If "old" mindset wins, organisation is dead for "new" people, and vice versa.
Army was dead, long ago, for "new" people. War has changed things to a degree, especially at once. But then "old" quite quickly found it ways back.
This is an obvious manipulation, I won't be surprised if inspired by kremlin. "Ukraine is a failed state", "totaly corrupted country", we are aware of kremlin narratives. But you forgot to mention that all the high ranking positions in government and army are held by kremlin servants like Syrsky, Ze, Yermak and others, they all, their predecessors created and firmly sustain that mess. They will never allow any positive changes or reforms, they won't allow ever for people like Drapaty or Prokopenko to lead the armed forces and destroy their system of mess and corruption they created in the armed forces and the whole country.
The main problem isn't new people but those who are in charge, who elligally usurped full power in Ukraine and fully utilising it against Ukraine.
Syrsky is not Ukrainian, he is ruzzian appointed by confessed traitor Zelinsky to fight a war with his compatriots and close relatives. It is very easy and clearly obvious to predict how and against whom Syrsky will fight a war - he fights it against Ukrainians, as he did from 2014.
So Srysky is now in charge of the Corps organizing? Shit, that may have just lost the war for Ukraine. What does Srysky have on the Government that lets him stay in this position? Why in God's name can't they fire his ass?
Ukraine is fighiting a existential, but Zelenskyi is fighting a propaganda war where you need to mount operations that keeps Ukraine on the news, at the cost of precious resources (lives, equipment and moral) and long term success, and if there is a person that likes clout and aparent success is Syrskyi so he probably does what ever Zelesnkyi asks him to do even though these operations harm Ukraine.
Maybe when the Ukranians be in the left side of the Dnipro they will have the realisation that with Zelesnkyi in power and Syrkyi not in jail they cant win without a miracle.
when i said "apparent success" i didnt mean actual success i meant more like something that looks good on headlines like "Ukraine attacks Belgorod oblast" and loses a bunch of engineering equipment and achieves nothing
Is there any evidence of this, threat Within writen orders with coordinates”?
“Moreover, these orders come with a clarification: if you do not place the position there, you will face criminal liability.’
Result of such actions by Syrsky are always the same: the local tactical commander is finding his hands ‘handcuffed’: he - i.e. his command staff - is (are) unable to plan their own operations based on knowledge they have, and also unable to react quickly when the situation changes. The latter because Syrsky’s orders are always ‘backed’ by threats of criminal charges.”
It's bizarre that they are running a meritocracy seemingly inspired by the doctrines of Milton Friedman when it comes to equipping their own units, but the top looks like the Brezhnev Politburo meets '00s reality TV.
Just one question, Willy OAM mentioned a French OSINT expert yesterday (at min 19...ín daily summary) who could geolocate New defensive installations, which Ukrainian army is building north & West of Kramatorsk Slavjansk axis - considering their precaution as a worst case scenario they expect the Line of Contact to arrive there by end of the year? What is a surprise that they build it behind the above mentioned cities...do they expect a pincer operation...(Lyman)...any thoughts?
If Yermak is making decisions based on which way social media winds are blowing, how in heavens name is Syrsky still there, and not ambassador to South Africa? One has to wonder where the front line and what the state of the ZSU would be if Zaluzhnyi or Drapatyi were in charge. This war will be won on the ground only when Putin fears losing what he gained, and if Zelenskyi and Yermak can't see Syrsky is the problem, then WTF, Over.
Hmm. Loyal to whom? Certainly not to his own soldiers. At least in feudalism they did know that loyalty works in both directions, up and down the chain of command.
So that criminal idiot is by now Ukraine's biggest single problem.
To freely cite Erich von Lewinski named von Manstein: "Warfare has to be like fencing"
Sometimes one cannot identify the enemy by the uniform, but only by the deeds.
Otherwise, he would never come to the idea to intentionally ruin Drapaty's reforms.
BTW, what Syrsky is doing in Ukraine is exactly the same the Russians are doing: there, generals can squander entire operations, resulting in thousands of deaths. However, if they were following their orders, they're all decorated.
THANKS Tom and Don, the war grinds on, the same problems in the ZSU and Ukrainian MOD remains. What a grand mess but the average Ukrainian still fights and the best just do their best.The low production level of Patriot munition is still surprising after all the pledged money and the restocking of the source donors munitions stockpiles are still not adequate to support the Ukrainians.
Looking forward to more updates, hopefully a "way forward" over the obstacles/problems happens within this year. So the Corps formation and standard training is a good bye then?
Hello Tom Cooper, do you happen to have seen the Russian-captured Bradley being refitted with a 30mm 2A72 canon? Is there any more information on this, perhaps being sent to a reserve battle group or something of the likes?
your updates are priceless for your attention to details and continuity.
Nevertheless, for people that cannot follow the developements day by day such a richness of details can sometimes be pretty confusing.
Do you plan, sooner or later, to post a summary of the last few months of war for the casual render?
I mean some kind of overall assesment, according to your point of view, for the teader who tries to grasp "how it is going overall", at least on the battlefield?
In any case: thanks a lot for your work, your time and your sarcasm as well.
Dear Tom and Don, thank you!
Well, while reading again about Syrskiy, seems to be enticing and important, -- I am not into it. I myself went through quite a few turns of "Ah, but this one is much better then the other and that is clear now." The first one was Mr. Zahorodniuk -- "oh, but this one is from civil society, has so much experience with ministry reforms, and is so keen on army to change, he is definitely the one." Next is Mr. Taran -- "well, the previous one had not enough experience with system and had not enough will, so nothing could change, but this one, true fields general, having first hand experience of the war will." And then Gen. Zaluzhniy went, and then Gen. Sirskiy went, and now Gen. Drapaty. My experience so far tells me that this another change will change nothing, of course enthusiast in me is hoping.
So, until I am hearing from any of those any drop of systematic thinking, I am not into it.
So far I heard some tidbits of sense from Mr. Zhumadilov. And from Mr. Brovdi. Although in both cases I am still not convinced. But then the question is really of the critical mass of their teams and supporters, in various places. And once this start happening, everybody is starting to cry about nepotism, etc.
So I do not care about nepotism, on any level for that matter, Messrs. Yermak/Zelenskiy included, while people in question have a vision, systematic thinking and will to implement it. Even if it is not "ideal" vision.
But unfortunately politics does not work like that. And when one needs to receive "likes", then another "great field general" like Mr. Suharevskiy is appointed to a place where it does not belong.
I personally believe, that the area would really benefit from a few seriously successful managers from civil life. That had experience of various corporations, while changing systems, achieving targets and materialising vision. All others could be "advisors", but no more. But those are shied by voters (and thinkers alike :)) to the greatest extent.
Since Zelensky/Yermak are managing high ranking posts (and pretty much everything else) based on social media mood, why have they note fired Syrsky and promoted Drapaty instead ? Since most of social medias appear to criticise the former and praise the later.
Really good question.
They need complete control over the armed forces.
Drapaty îs carismatic and might start to oppose orders.
Make sense, tragic as it is but it's true. Still, wouldn't it be good for Zelensky and his buddies to limit how much Syrsky fucks up the front line just a bit more? Not sure losing men, materials and land are doing anyone any good.
Criminal orders every solder has to oppose, according to Ukrainian constitution
Heh... because - and that's one of 'traditions' at the political top in Kyiv - they're afraid of the ZSU.
Was a reason why the National Guard was established: 'to defend the internal order'....
Not to talk about the SBU who acts internally like a totalitarian force
Exactly! Only the infiltrated enemy can be afraid of own armed forces of the country.
Because the moskovia (i.e. ruzzia) whom Zelts/Yermak work for can loose the war after such positive for Ukraine decision
A grim final sentence with which to end Part 4 but an appropriate one.
Сумно читати такі речі, на жаль є така риса у українців, у деяких як повна відбитісить від реальності, а може це свідомо робиться, він же у москві навчався, коли людина робить свідомо провальні дії- значить це навмисна шкода!
Зовсім не обов'язково. Зеленський, інтелектуальні і моральні якості якого дуже далекі від ідеалу, підібрав гідного собі, ще й при цьому особисто відданого і безвідмовного у виконанні будь яких забаганок, Сирського.
Війська це не юніти, ти не можеш завантажити і почати все заново, приходиться бусифікувати, я про те як людський ресурс злочинно використовується.
Просто свідомо знищується, я не здивуюся що під наказом кримінальної відповідальності до прив'язки території і часу, криється передача цих самих даних кацапам, а потім туди йдуть прильоти*!? Він же родом з під москви, і цим багато чого сказано.
Я доносив трохи інший контекст.
Ironically, Zelensky probably is considered "Mr. Great" in the U.S. by pro-Ukrainian supporters. I don't understand why even a civilian leader without any military experience can be oblivious to the failures ascribed to Syrsky and Yermak as described in this particular Substack article and so many others that have been posted previously. Such inaction does not seem reasonable to me even for the minimally intellectual leader, even pertinent to an evil dufus (OK dumpf) such as the Orange Haired Wonder. Cynically I would observe that such behavior and actions effectively contribute helpfully to the Russian cause. How ironic.
Ironically, I consider Syrskiy to be extremely effective given the circumstances. Though his place or role should not be having so wide responsibilities.
Why? Just because many have quite rosy outlook regarding the rest of the system. The major part of it (say 70%), down do the last soldier, is completely unmotivated and unwilling, and even afraid of any minor change. Because in a real change that promotes effective people to be in charge, many, quite many, will lose their places.
And some of those, are really really nasty people, and need to be simply discharged once and for all. But were to find thousands of people to replace them, that have good health, some training and motivated?
So Syrskiy is a bad answer to a bad question. If Drapatiy already now is not happy that his orders are not followed, then he has nothing to do in this system. For there are sharks upon sharks, and being a general or not, you either make people to follow your orders. Or they will ignore you and do their thing, which is making their own life better. I understand that it looks like Biletskiy, Prokopenko and so on, are being stopped "by nasty generals" from building the "brave new army". But it is army at large, that does not want to become "Brave New Army".
If I think I understand correctly that which you have written, then I would conclude from it that Ukraine as a whole--society, culture, governmental institutions--is still pretty much a creature of the Soviet Union. I.e., pretty much still Sovietized.
Well not exactly. It is a post-soviet thing though. Basically people allow themselves what they are not dare to do in the West. Basically, the sense of it, if you are not making your life and life of your family as comfortable as possible using every avenue you have available, then you are simply stupid. And since people are very inventive, many get their lives extremely luxurious and comfortable.
So then this mindset, even if not shared by all, puts a print on every part of society.
And there are still other people, say "new generation" that say "look, I do not want to have anything common with either such mindset or systems full of it". So they build "new generation" companies, use extremely advanced management and ways organise business. But will never participate in a government organs or army, or anything like that. And there is a mix of those, were ones and the others co-exist. But in the end of the day, only one of those wins in any particular organisation. If "old" mindset wins, organisation is dead for "new" people, and vice versa.
Army was dead, long ago, for "new" people. War has changed things to a degree, especially at once. But then "old" quite quickly found it ways back.
This is an obvious manipulation, I won't be surprised if inspired by kremlin. "Ukraine is a failed state", "totaly corrupted country", we are aware of kremlin narratives. But you forgot to mention that all the high ranking positions in government and army are held by kremlin servants like Syrsky, Ze, Yermak and others, they all, their predecessors created and firmly sustain that mess. They will never allow any positive changes or reforms, they won't allow ever for people like Drapaty or Prokopenko to lead the armed forces and destroy their system of mess and corruption they created in the armed forces and the whole country.
The main problem isn't new people but those who are in charge, who elligally usurped full power in Ukraine and fully utilising it against Ukraine.
Syrsky is not Ukrainian, he is ruzzian appointed by confessed traitor Zelinsky to fight a war with his compatriots and close relatives. It is very easy and clearly obvious to predict how and against whom Syrsky will fight a war - he fights it against Ukrainians, as he did from 2014.
So Srysky is now in charge of the Corps organizing? Shit, that may have just lost the war for Ukraine. What does Srysky have on the Government that lets him stay in this position? Why in God's name can't they fire his ass?
Ukraine is fighiting a existential, but Zelenskyi is fighting a propaganda war where you need to mount operations that keeps Ukraine on the news, at the cost of precious resources (lives, equipment and moral) and long term success, and if there is a person that likes clout and aparent success is Syrskyi so he probably does what ever Zelesnkyi asks him to do even though these operations harm Ukraine.
Maybe when the Ukranians be in the left side of the Dnipro they will have the realisation that with Zelesnkyi in power and Syrkyi not in jail they cant win without a miracle.
Thats just my theory.
"apparent success" and Syrskyi in the same breath sound a bit preposterous...
I am still trying to remember a single operation where Syrskyi has succeeded - and I fail to do so
when i said "apparent success" i didnt mean actual success i meant more like something that looks good on headlines like "Ukraine attacks Belgorod oblast" and loses a bunch of engineering equipment and achieves nothing
Maybe. One would hope that Zelensky would learn after a while. But well, so far no luck.
Because people in charge are fully comfortable with such outcome Syrsky produces, as would ruzzian stooges do if they were in charge of Ukraine.
The same can be asked like why dumpf throws the US in a civil war? The answer is obvious - he wants it to happen like that and his kremlin master do.
Is there any evidence of this, threat Within writen orders with coordinates”?
“Moreover, these orders come with a clarification: if you do not place the position there, you will face criminal liability.’
Result of such actions by Syrsky are always the same: the local tactical commander is finding his hands ‘handcuffed’: he - i.e. his command staff - is (are) unable to plan their own operations based on knowledge they have, and also unable to react quickly when the situation changes. The latter because Syrsky’s orders are always ‘backed’ by threats of criminal charges.”
It's bizarre that they are running a meritocracy seemingly inspired by the doctrines of Milton Friedman when it comes to equipping their own units, but the top looks like the Brezhnev Politburo meets '00s reality TV.
Just one question, Willy OAM mentioned a French OSINT expert yesterday (at min 19...ín daily summary) who could geolocate New defensive installations, which Ukrainian army is building north & West of Kramatorsk Slavjansk axis - considering their precaution as a worst case scenario they expect the Line of Contact to arrive there by end of the year? What is a surprise that they build it behind the above mentioned cities...do they expect a pincer operation...(Lyman)...any thoughts?
If Yermak is making decisions based on which way social media winds are blowing, how in heavens name is Syrsky still there, and not ambassador to South Africa? One has to wonder where the front line and what the state of the ZSU would be if Zaluzhnyi or Drapatyi were in charge. This war will be won on the ground only when Putin fears losing what he gained, and if Zelenskyi and Yermak can't see Syrsky is the problem, then WTF, Over.
Because he's loyal. And the 'General of Fantastic News'. No 'troublemaker'.
Soviet mindset - choose subordinate which is loyal and bring good news only.
Hmm. Loyal to whom? Certainly not to his own soldiers. At least in feudalism they did know that loyalty works in both directions, up and down the chain of command.
So that criminal idiot is by now Ukraine's biggest single problem.
To freely cite Erich von Lewinski named von Manstein: "Warfare has to be like fencing"
Sometimes one cannot identify the enemy by the uniform, but only by the deeds.
Loyal to Zele/Yermak, of course.
Own soldiers? 'Who cares?'
Otherwise, he would never come to the idea to intentionally ruin Drapaty's reforms.
BTW, what Syrsky is doing in Ukraine is exactly the same the Russians are doing: there, generals can squander entire operations, resulting in thousands of deaths. However, if they were following their orders, they're all decorated.
...and then 'the West' cannot understand that...
So basically he is just another "Urmundküsser".
THANKS Tom and Don, the war grinds on, the same problems in the ZSU and Ukrainian MOD remains. What a grand mess but the average Ukrainian still fights and the best just do their best.The low production level of Patriot munition is still surprising after all the pledged money and the restocking of the source donors munitions stockpiles are still not adequate to support the Ukrainians.
Looking forward to more updates, hopefully a "way forward" over the obstacles/problems happens within this year. So the Corps formation and standard training is a good bye then?
Hello Tom Cooper, do you happen to have seen the Russian-captured Bradley being refitted with a 30mm 2A72 canon? Is there any more information on this, perhaps being sent to a reserve battle group or something of the likes?
Regards, Zandrus.
Dear Don & Tom,
your updates are priceless for your attention to details and continuity.
Nevertheless, for people that cannot follow the developements day by day such a richness of details can sometimes be pretty confusing.
Do you plan, sooner or later, to post a summary of the last few months of war for the casual render?
I mean some kind of overall assesment, according to your point of view, for the teader who tries to grasp "how it is going overall", at least on the battlefield?
In any case: thanks a lot for your work, your time and your sarcasm as well.