Ryan O’Leary: Poor leadership, not Russia, is the biggest threat inside Ukraine’s army.
U.S. Army veteran. Fought in the Ukrainian Armed Forces from 2022 to 2025, including service in the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade, against Russian invaders.
The army depends on supplies, but its fighting spirit and ability to endure and destroy the enemy lie in the hands of its commanders. There is a vast difference between a unit that merely survives and one that actively fights.
This is not directed at any specific command, but rather highlights a critical gap in understanding among Ukraine’s officer corps. A mediocre officer in peacetime may affect combat readiness — a tolerable issue. But during war, a mediocre or incompetent officer leads to soldier deaths and deteriorates unit morale and combat capability.
We’ve lost more soldiers due to poor leadership than due to Russian actions. As a soldier since February 2022, I emphasize: poor leadership and Soviet-style thinking have cost us more than direct enemy fire. Ukraine’s officer corps often acts as a caste of untouchables or “military princes,” prioritizing personal comfort over soldiers’ welfare.
This system allows incompetent officers not only to avoid accountability but also to get promotions or transfers, protecting them from paperwork and shielding their superiors from dealing with consequences. This favoritism directly impacts frontline conditions.
A real example — the 59th Brigade. When Sukharevskyi was transferred, command passed to Shevchuk. In his first two months, he sent intelligence officers on assault missions, leading to unnecessary casualties among those untrained for combat. He ordered soldiers to take unreachable positions with no hope of reinforcement. It took 16 months of fatal decisions to remove him. That cost dozens, if not hundreds, of lives.
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Such cases are common across Ukraine’s Ground Forces. The sergeant corps was never properly developed, and the officer corps still follows Soviet patterns — failures are hidden, and soldiers pay the price. We are dying for Ukraine, for our families, while unmotivated and careless officers keep making decisions that lead to senseless deaths.
I can’t speak for command above battalion level, but officers who tried to change the system and were forced to resign should serve as a signal. Reform is necessary if we want to preserve the next generation’s freedom, Ukrainian identity, and democratic path. At this rate, these officers will continue filling cemeteries with brave Ukrainians for no just cause.
That’s why I won’t lead brave men and women into hell unless I know a caring and competent officer has our backs.
Our greatest assets are our people, minds, and ability to think. We must prioritize lives over awards and territory — but this belief is missing. Some among us are butchers and monsters, and such officers must be removed immediately if we are to win this war and preserve our nation.
If you're an officer or someone in power and this angers you — ask yourself the following six questions. If you can’t answer positively to at least 75%, you are likely the problem — or serving under the problem. It's 2025 — Soviet thinking must die alongside Russian invaders in the field.
We can’t be led to slaughter under empty promises by those who don’t care.
- I trust my platoon commander to do everything to get me out of a bad situation.
- I believe our command plans defensive operations with my safety in mind.
- I know my officers will evacuate me if the position becomes compromised.
- Before each operation, I get all necessary mission info and can give feedback.
- We are provided with enough intel to fight and push out Russian forces.
- I believe my brigade or battalion leadership will come to our aid if needed.
If your answers are not mostly positive — you’re unfit for command and must be replaced immediately.
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Ukraine has always been an officer-heavy military. But it’s 2025 — this conduct is no longer acceptable. Unmotivated, careless, and incapable officers must be removed immediately, not months later.
This is why I chose to disband the "Chosen Company." It goes against my values to lead people to death without purpose, to fight blind, or send them into combat unprepared. This issue has existed since 2022. Some officers care more about medals and personal gain than about the actual mission: to engage and defeat the enemy.
Ukraine’s problem isn’t manpower. It’s the status we granted to the officer corps — an untouchable class. If an officer doesn’t grasp the basics of the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) before combat — defense or offense — they shouldn’t be in command.
Rank-and-file soldiers are often blamed, yet the responsibility lies with command. No soldier will fight for a commander they don’t believe in. None will advance knowing their command won’t back them up. This is a war of attrition. And every day, the grunts in trenches, basements, and forward positions are more valuable than the officers behind desks.
It’s time to fix this.
