AFU’s command model changed after Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal. Syrskyi is building authoritarian system – Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Kashchenko
The army’s command model changed radically after Valerii Zaluzhnyi was dismissed as Commander-in-Chief.
Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Kashchenko said this in an interview with Censor.NET.
Change of the AFU commander-in-chief
"The command model in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has changed. It shifted from a sane, humane one — what I would call Zaluzhnyi’s system — to Syrskyi’s inadequate authoritarian system. What do I mean by that? Back in the day, as commander-in-chief, and by virtue of his personal qualities, common sense, humanity, understanding of family problems that arise in every family, and the order in which tasks are carried out, Valerii Fedorovych always found time to take an interest in a brigade commander’s work.
When you held the post of brigade commander, you could always reach out to him directly and talk, ask for advice: I have problems, I do not see a way to solve them. He would advise and help. Syrskyi’s current rule is typical Soviet-style command, where the main thing is to fear the boss and abuse subordinates. Zaluzhnyi was not like that. He treated people properly," Kashchenko said.
According to the colonel, "any sensible ideas that arise in the minds of unit commanders are of no use to Syrskyi, because he is convinced that he knows better."
"That is the primary reason. When a normal brigade commander is replaced and an abnormal one comes in, people begin leaving immediately. They either follow the commander if he is sent to another unit, or go to someone they know is normal. And all officers run from such a commander-in-chief. That is the main reason. Everything else stems from it.
You are not heard. They do not even want to hear you. If you manage to get through to someone and convey your point of view, they turn you into an outcast. Experienced officers know this: if you cannot influence the war in a proper way, it is better to go where you can have at least some influence and do some good for the state. It is all very simple," the Hero of Ukraine explained.
Kashchenko also spoke about how he was removed from the post of brigade commander.
"They removed me because I have my own point of view, and it was done at the sector commander level. But after I was removed from the post, I had a meeting with Zaluzhnyi, explained my position to him, and what had happened. And if at first I was being sent to the post of head of the training directorate, after my conversation with Valerii Fedorovych, I was promoted to deputy commander of the Special Actions Command of the Special Operations Forces," he concluded.
Read the full text of Censor.NET’s interview with Dmytro Kashchenko at the link.
