Ukrainian brigades ordered to record videos in support of Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi
Serhii Sternenko, a volunteer and former advisor to Ukraine's defence minister, says commanders of Ukrainian brigades have been ordered to record video statements in support of Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Ukrainska Pravda sources within the military have confirmed that such an instruction was issued.
Source: Sternenko on social media; Ukrainska Pravda sources within the military
Details: Sternenko provided screenshots of messages from a service member who said that on the morning of 18 July, brigade commanders received instructions to make videos in support of Syrskyi and post them by 17:00.
Another service member said that at the Air Assault Forces, the task had come from the Air Assault Forces command. A further source said brigade communications units had been asked to make the videos.
An Ukrainska Pravda source within the defence forces also said: "Our brigade commanders have been tasked with recording video statements."
Quote from Sternenko: "Brigade commanders have been ordered to record videos in support of Syrskyi.
Service members who won't obey are being punished."
More details: Sternenko also claims that after a member of the Skelia unit criticised Syrskyi in a social media post, he disappeared and his account was deleted. There is currently no additional information or evidence to support this part of the claim. [The Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation is conducting a criminal probe into the 425th "Skelia" Separate Assault Regiment following reports of at least 26 noncombat deaths, physical abuse and inadequate medical care for recruits. The unit's commander has been suspended and the authorities are currently investigating allegations of systemic abuse.]
Previously: Earlier, National Guard corps commanders expressed support for Ihor Klymenko as a possible defence minister, saying he has already done a great deal for the military as interior minister and has enough experience to take on the job.
Background:
- On 16 July, protests in support of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov took place near the President's Office in Kyiv and in a number of Ukrainian cities. The protesters called on the authorities to reinstate Fedorov and not to hand the defence minister position over to Ihor Klymenko.
- Commenting on the upcoming changes at the Defence Ministry, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Fedorov and Syrskyi had been unable to work together effectively and that problems on the battlefield, in military brigades and with mobilisation remain unresolved.
- Zelenskyy said it was right that Ukrainian citizens are able to take part in peaceful demonstrations and express their views even during wartime, adding that he had "not yet made a final decision" on the issue they had raised.
- Later, however, Zelenskyy said he would propose the appointment of Yevhen Khmara as defence minister to the Verkhovna Rada (parliament). Khmara, who is currently the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, will now carry out the duties of Ukraine's defence minister on the president's instruction.
- On 17 July, protests in support of Fedorov continued in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine for the second day in a row following his dismissal. People are demanding his reinstatement and Oleksandr Syrskyi's removal.
Read more: Lies, isolation, blocking: Fedorov names 11 major problems he found in Defence Ministry
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