Ukraine's French-trained brigade rocked by scandal

RFI

10 January 2025 at 2:18 am·1-min read

The 'Anne of Kyiv' brigade was launched with pomp by France and Ukraine but has been hit by scandals

With its soldiers trained in France and high-profile endorsements from the French and Ukrainian presidents, the "Anne of Kyiv" brigade was supposed to be a flagship unit for Ukraine's army.

But just months after being created, it finds itself fighting two enemies – Russians across the battlefield and an internal scandal that has shocked the Ukrainian military establishment.

Kyiv has been rocked by reports that hundreds of troops deserted the unit – most before being sent into conflict and a handful while undergoing training in France.

The controversy is being seen as a snapshot of familiar issues that have plagued Ukraine's army since Russia invaded three years ago, and comes at a critical political and military juncture for Kyiv.

"Yes, there are problems, we are aware of them," Land Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapaty said of the 155th Mechanised Brigade, the brigade's official name, in comments to media including AFP during a press tour to the unit.

"There are problems and there have been problems with staffing, training, and partly with the command staff," Drapaty said, referring to "the negative things that came out in the public domain".

Russians who refuse to fight in Ukraine see hope of sanctuary in France

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