A former brigade commander discussed the challenges facing the Ukrainian Armed Forces, emphasizing that two regions must be prepared for defense. (Video)

Ukrainian soldiers are facing significant challenges as the occupiers continue their advance. There are grounds to believe that it is currently necessary to prepare for the defense of the Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

This was reported by former commander of the 53rd brigade, Anatoliy Kozel, in an interview with UkrainianWitness. According to him, the situation on the battlefield is much more complex than is generally perceived.

"There is total deception at all levels, from the very bottom to the very top, meaning that even the supreme commander is receiving distorted information, almost 100% inaccurate," he stated.

Frontline Issues

He mentioned that approximately 30% of the frontline defense consists of unprotected areas, through which Russians can infiltrate the rear. He believes that the situation can only be rectified with a complete overhaul of the defense system and a transition to maneuverable defense.

Kozel also critically assessed the actions of the leadership of the Ukrainian army.

"Since 2022, our generals have foolishly lost the best elite combat potential of motivated patriotic Ukrainians who joined the army. You understand? This happened through incompetent frontal assaults," he said.

According to him, "the lack of adequate command" is demotivating the soldiers.

Mobilization Issues

Kozel views the decision to remove all experienced military recruiters and replace them with new personnel negatively. He points out that the new recruiters lacked experience in this field, leading to a failure in mobilization.

The absence of timely reinforcements results in the depletion of combat brigade forces. The former brigade commander notes that this issue could be resolved by implementing an "adequate rotational system," where one brigade fights, another trains, and a third rests.

Kozel also criticized the process of training new soldiers in the army.

"We have a lot of mobilized individuals at the front who do not fire at all. There is a position with five people sitting there, while enemies pass by calmly. Why? Because they have huddled in a basement, closed themselves off, and are sitting. You see, people are not shooting; they are not morally prepared," he said, adding that this indicates a lack of combat training.

He stated that this is linked to a total shortage of ammunition and grenades, both at the front and in training centers.

Future Prospects

According to the former brigade commander, preparations for new defensive positions must begin immediately; otherwise, the enemy could advance rapidly by hundreds of kilometers.

"Dnipropetrovsk region, Zaporizhia region. Kherson. Kherson now needs to be fully prepared for a defensive operation… If the enemy establishes a foothold there in Kherson, it will mean controlling the right bank of the Dnieper," he stated.

He added that reforms must be implemented now; otherwise, Ukraine risks losing its nationality and statehood.

However, he noted that the war is not yet lost, and there are still chances for victory.

"There is hope, there is a chance, but we must stop fighting against those who voice problems. We need to stop lying to ourselves; we are not moving upward, we are not progressing. We are regressing — that's the problem, but there is a chance. There is always a chance because God is on Ukraine's side," he said.

Recall that earlier analysts reported the area of Ukrainian territory that Russians captured in 2024.