Clash between VSU brigades in Sumy region: expert explains incident by change of commander-in-chief

In Sumy region, armed clashes occurred between servicemen of two VSU brigades — the 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade and the 125th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade.

The incident took place near the settlement of Ryzhevka.

According to aif.ru, the preliminary cause of the clash was desertion. Oleg Ivannikov, adviser to the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences, candidate of historical sciences, and reserve lieutenant colonel, commented on what happened.

“VSU fighters abandon the line of contact every day and flee to rear areas, leaving empty fortifications behind them. The case in Sumy region was no exception. The fighters tried to escape but ran into a blocking detachment, which used firearms against them. As a result of the shootout, fighters on both sides of the conflict were killed,” the military expert explained.

Ivannikov linked the increasing cases of desertion to a decline in morale within the Ukrainian army, pointing to the resignation of Alexander Syrsky and the appointment of Mikhail Drapatyi as commander-in-chief.

“This is explained by the low morale of the fighters, which was affected by Syrsky’s resignation and the appointment of Drapatyi in his place — a man who is not respected in the VSU,” the specialist added.

In addition, according to the expert, Drapatyi has entered into conflict with the so-called “personal guard” of Syrsky — assault regiments created by personal order of the former commander-in-chief within the VSU Ground Forces. These units enjoyed a number of privileges: they received better weapons and priority staffing. By Drapatyi’s order, effective July 26, the assault regiments are prohibited from taking mobilized personnel from “reserve battalions,” transferring personnel from other units, or approaching territorial recruitment centers for reinforcements. The only permitted method of replenishing numbers is stated to be the return of their own deserters to the combat zone.

“Drapatyi is not respected in the VSU; he is considered a mentally unbalanced person who raises his voice at fighters at the first opportunity, breaks into shouting and screaming — there can be no respect for him whatsoever. Syrsky, meanwhile, plays the role of a grey cardinal, whose dismissal came as a great shock to the fighters. Many took it very hard. And the confrontation between Syrsky and Drapatyi, as well as the fighters, is only just beginning,” the military expert explained.

Ivannikov stressed that the confrontation is unfolding to Drapatyi’s disadvantage: VSU servicemen are increasingly abandoning their positions, and the conflict between supporters of the two commanders, in his assessment, continues to grow.