Ukrainian brigade leader ousted amidst political turmoil in Vuhledar

"I would like to thank Bezugla. This stupid... (here follows a list of vulgar insults) disrupted the brigade rotation, which led to very serious consequences and the actual loss of many positions. Such people should be brought to court and sentenced to 100 years in prison," — this post was made on his Telegram account by Goworit Snajper. He is a popular (266,000 subscribers) Ukrainian war blogger. The author noted that he writes on behalf of soldiers fighting in Vuhledar.

The harsh words are addressed to 36-year-old politician Maryana Bezugla, who until 17 September was a member of the National Security and Defence Committee in the Ukrainian parliament. She publicised military secrets known to her to point out the mistakes of Chief Commander Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukrainian media reports.

At the end of August, Bezugla wrote on Facebook that the command intends to replace the 72nd brigade, "most familiar with the front near Vuhledar," with freshly recruited "zombie soldiers" without experience.

She warned that the front is close to collapsing, there are no fortification lines in the region to stop the Russians, and new soldiers usually flee because they lack experience. In subsequent posts, she suggested that President Zelensky is being deceived by his commanders.

The Ukrainian politician's alarmist posts had disastrous consequences. Ukrainian analysts (including from the Deep State service) reported that the command decided to refuse the rotation, i.e., the replacement on the front, of the 72nd Separate Mechanised Brigade.

According to unofficial reports, the unit commander was supposed to be dismissed. Since these soldiers have been fighting for a long time without changes, rest, and force recovery, they were said to start giving way to the Russian attack — explained by Ukrainian military analysts cited by the Unian news agency. Such a situation threatens the annihilation of people from the legendary unit that became famous for defending Kyiv in the early days of the war.

Meanwhile, in subsequent posts, Maryana Bezugla warns: "There has been a separation of the military command in Kyiv from the front. Here they are not ready to give Donetsk to the Russians, there they do not know the reality" — she writes in one of the latest posts.

The politician is particularly critical of the "Kursk operation," which she considers a waste of resources. "Mr President, you are being misled. Remove them, pull the Armed Forces of Ukraine out of their bloody hands! Mr President, save the Armed Forces of Ukraine, save us and give us hope" — she appeals.

The Ukrainian Unian news agency reported that Bezugla was removed from the National Security and Defence Committee.

It was suggested that parliamentarians' motive for such a vote was the politician's use of secrets available to her to criticise commanders fighting on the front. Previously, Bezugla caused a sensation by stating that a Ukrainian F-16 plane was destroyed during a combat mission.

- Despite heavy attacks and difficult circumstances, we are on-site - said a soldier of the 72nd brigade in a report from Vuhledar on 26 September. He showed that the city remains under Ukrainian control. In this way, the unit refuted reports from some analysts that one of the Russian attacks on Vuhledar ended in success.

Meanwhile, on the night of Thursday to Friday, the Russians used incendiary ammunition in an attack on Ukrainian positions in Vuhledar — according to reports on Ukrainian Telegram channels. It is likely that phosphorus ammunition, which burns at over 815°C, was dropped. The recording shows how a large part of the city literally catches fire.

- The situation of the Ukrainian units at the front in the Pokrovsk and Vuhledar region is very difficult. Reports of political conflicts negatively affect the morale of the soldiers themselves but also tarnish the image of the Ukrainian army among allies - commented in an interview with Wirtualna Polska Jan Piekło, former Polish ambassador to Kyiv. - However, I would not draw too far-reaching conclusions here. A brutal war is ongoing, and ultimately the soldiers are responsible for effectively carrying out planned operations - he adds.

- The most important issue, parallel to dramatic events on the front, is the matter of allowing Ukraine to carry out strikes on Russian territory using missiles and systems provided by Western partners. If such approval were granted, as President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking, Ukrainians would demonstrate much greater effectiveness in their operations - comments the former diplomat.

For this purpose, the President of Ukraine visited the USA — he appeared at the United Nations summit and met with presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Zelensky began his visit by touring a munitions factory in Scranton (a significant state electorally, Pennsylvania), producing 155 mm shells.

Zelensky's victory plan, which aims to force Moscow to end the war without any concessions from Kyiv, continues to raise many questions — mainly regarding its feasibility. As reported by "The Wall Street Journal," the plan did not impress the Joe Biden administration. American journalists suggest that diplomats received it more as a request for additional weapons rather than a comprehensive victory strategy.

Officially, Biden expressed gratitude for presenting the plan in the war with Russia that has lasted almost three years. The American president also noted that it is important to "strengthen Ukraine's position on the battlefield" by providing all military assistance.

The Ukrainian leader recently met with Vice President Kamala Harris, who assured of "unwavering" support for Ukraine's defence. Harris warned that a victory for Putin could increase his threat to NATO countries such as Poland and the Baltic States.

Also on the list of politicians met was Donald Trump. After the meeting, the US presidential candidate expressed hope for a fair end to the conflict in Ukraine. - We want it to end, and we want a fair solution. And I think it will happen in due course - he said.

- We have very good relations. I also have very good relations with President Putin - said Trump at one point. At the same time, he stressed that if he wins the elections, the conflict will be quickly resolved. - I hope that our relations will be better - Zelensky responded only, expressing deep hope for stronger relations with the USA than with Russia.