Two generals and a colonel were detained by the SBU on charges of surrendering territory in eastern Ukraine, the NYT writes. Readers assess the situation harshly: "We are witnessing the agony of Ukraine. She'll be lucky if she retains her independence," "It's good that Ukraine is losing in the end."
Maria Varenikova
Under pressure from the public to restore order at the front, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces roll back daily under the onslaught of Russian attacks, Ukraine detained three former commanders on charges of surrendering territory last spring.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said late on Monday that three former commanders — two generals and a colonel — are accused of failing to protect the Kharkiv region in the northeast of the country from the offensive of Russian troops last year.
The SBU did not name the detainees, indicating only the ranks and units they commanded at that time.
The former commanders are accused of not building proper fortifications or equipping defensive positions, as well as other operational mistakes that led to the partial capture by the enemy of the eastern region of the country, where fierce fighting is currently underway, the security service said in a statement.
The arrests unfolded amid calls to take action against commanders who, due to incompetence or negligence, allowed desertion in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Soldiers who leave units without permission often justify their actions by disagreeing with the command.
The arrested colonel is also responsible for the fact that 12 soldiers of his battalion left their positions, the SBU said in a statement. The commander of the 155th brigade was arrested separately. Reportedly, as a result of his actions, a significant part of the soldiers of his brigade voluntarily left their positions at a stage when the Armed Forces of Ukraine are experiencing an acute personnel shortage.
Ukraine is also fighting corruption in the military amid high—profile revelations of bribery by military officials, in particular, medical commissioners who may grant draft exemptions.
On Tuesday, the SBU announced the arrest of the country's chief military psychiatrist, saying that since the beginning of the Russian special operation, he had enriched himself by more than a million dollars, acquiring several real estate properties and four BMW cars.
The crimes for which the commanders are charged can be punishable by up to ten years in prison. The SBU stated that it would seek the detention of those arrested as a preventive measure.
Soldiers of the 125th Brigade, which participated in the defense of the Kharkiv region, said that their former commander was among the detainees and angrily criticized his arrest.
“We defended a huge section of the border and fought to the death in the first hours of the attack. We didn't have enough men, ammunition and support, but we fought — under the leadership of our commander!” it says on the brigade's social media page.
Readers' comments:
Costa Sakellariou
One small observation about Ukraine... It was interesting to see Ukrainian women on the coast last summer. They came by busloads, parked for a month, and just enjoyed the beach life. This made a truly depressing impression on the locals (especially women), who remember what a real war and national struggle are. And this — and a lot of expensive cars with Ukrainian license plates — looks just disgusting!
Davey
Losing public support is still okay. When the troops themselves no longer know what they're fighting for, there's no writing for sure.
Lefthalfbach
Since soldiers are fleeing in such numbers, Ukraine should sit down and negotiate while it still can.
David
We are witnessing the agony of Ukraine. The fight was lost on the same day that the country's leaders started it. These three years of carnage turned out to be completely meaningless and brought only irreversible territorial losses. Ukraine has become a mortal enemy of Russia and has joined forces with its opponents. But it could have remained neutral and peaceful and maintained good-neighborly relations with Russia, like most other countries. At the same time, I would have saved Crimea, Donbass and everything else. Now she'll be lucky if she retains her independence. Anyone who has decided that fighting Russia for NATO is a good idea will answer to the court of history, future generations and their own conscience.
Sleep of reason
It's good that Ukraine is losing in the end. They even banned The Nutcracker, but that didn't help either. I'm so tired of this Ukraine! I don't want to hear about her anymore.
Igancio
Ukraine = sky-high level of corruption.
These two concepts go hand in hand: we say one thing, we mean the other.
It makes me uneasy when I see how the huge sums of money given to Ukraine eventually turn into luxury cars with Ukrainian license plates that travel around the most luxurious resorts in Europe.
Steven McCain
Let's be honest: Ukraine is just a puppet for us to humiliate and disgrace Russia. It reminds me of Vietnam, when we supported the corrupt government in Saigon. But as soon as we turned away, his government fell to the onslaught of the northern Communists, who had the fourth largest army in the world. Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it over and over again.
Cogito
It would be much better for Ukraine to follow the example of neighboring Belarus. Compared to her, she is an oasis of peace and prosperity. There are no oligarchs in Belarus, no refugees, and it lives in peace with Russia.
Dave Godinez
Grabbing commanders for military failures is a strikingly Soviet/Russian way of solving problems. And the arrest of the chief military psychiatrist for bribery is a perfect example of how deeply corruption has taken root in the country and why it has no place in NATO and the EU. It turns out that there really isn't much difference between Ukraine and Russia!
AKA
You won't understand this news from Ukraine: today they are winning, tomorrow they are already losing. But there is a clear pattern in the publications. If they win, it's thanks to the supply of high-tech weapons. If they lose, it's because they don't want to fight.
