Latest news with #TarasMaksimov
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ukraine launches probe into French-trained brigade
A volunteer sells Ukrainian flags while sitting on a missile fragment at an open-air museum of destroyed Russian military equipment in Kyiv, on May 19. PHOTO: AFP KYIV - Ukraine's military has launched another investigation into the scandal-hit 'Anne of Kyiv' brigade, trained in France, after a media report alleged financial misconduct among commanders, a military spokesperson said May 20. The 155th Mechanised Brigade was supposed to be a flagship fighting force for Ukraine's army, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron as a symbol of cooperation between Kyiv and Paris. But it has been plagued by scandals, including reports of equipment shortages, low morale and soldiers abandoning the unit while undergoing training in France. A spokesperson for Ukraine's land forces confirmed that a fresh investigation had been launched but declined to elaborate. The Ukrainska Pravda media outlet recently alleged that brigade commander Taras Maksimov had been possibly involved 'in fictitious combat payments and extortion'. It also said the brigade had seen over 1,200 cases of soldiers going absent without leave. 'After the publication of the article in the media, where new details and circumstances were revealed, an additional check was ordered to clarify all the facts set out in the article,' land forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty told AFP in a written statement. He said a law enforcement investigation had started and that the land forces were taking 'all necessary measures to facilitate the investigation and establish the truth.' Mr Macron announced the creation of the Anne of Kyiv brigade – named after a Medieval Kyiv princess who married into the French royal family – in June 2024. Paris hailed it as a 'unique' initiative and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to form a dozen other Nato-trained and equipped units. Ukraine's military has been beset with corruption scandals – ranging from weapons procurement to the falsification of draft exemption certificates – since Russia invaded in February 2022. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Ukraine launches probe into French-trained brigade
The 155th Mechanized Brigade was supposed to be a flagship fighting force for Ukraine's armyA spokesperson for Ukraine's land forces confirmed that a fresh investigation had been launched KYIV: Ukraine's military has launched another investigation into the scandal-hit 'Anne of Kyiv' brigade, trained in France, after a media report alleged financial misconduct among commanders, a military spokesperson said 155th Mechanized Brigade was supposed to be a flagship fighting force for Ukraine's army, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron as a symbol of cooperation between Kyiv and it has been plagued by scandals, including reports of equipment shortages, low morale and soldiers abandoning the unit while undergoing training in France.A spokesperson for Ukraine's land forces confirmed that a fresh investigation had been launched but declined to Ukrainska Pravda media outlet recently alleged that brigade commander Col. Taras Maksimov had been possibly involved 'in fictitious combat payments and extortion.'It also said the brigade had seen over 1,200 cases of soldiers going absent without leave.'After the publication of the article in the media, where new details and circumstances were revealed, an additional check was ordered to clarify all the facts set out in the article,' land forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty told AFP in a written said a law enforcement investigation had started and that the land forces were taking 'all necessary measures to facilitate the investigation and establish the truth.'Macron announced the creation of the Anne of Kyiv brigade — named after a Medieval Kyiv princess who married into the French royal family — in June last hailed it as a 'unique' initiative and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to form a dozen other NATO-trained and equipped military has been beset with corruption scandals — ranging from weapons procurement to the falsification of draft exemption certificates — since Russia invaded in February 2022.
France 24
20-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Ukraine launches probe into French-trained brigade hit by scandal
Ukraine's military told AFP on Tuesday it had launched another investigation into the scandal-hit 'Anne of Kyiv' brigade, trained in France, after a media report alleged financial misconduct among some commanders. The unit—officially Ukraine's 155 th Mechanised Brigade—was supposed to be a flagship fighting force for Ukraine's army, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron as a symbol of tight cooperation between Kyiv and Paris. 44:31 But it has been plagued by scandals, including reports of equipment shortages, low morale and soldiers abandoning the unit en masse while undergoing training in France. A spokesperson for Ukraine's land forces confirmed on Tuesday that a fresh investigation had been launched into the unit but declined to elaborate further. The Ukrainska Pravda media outlet recently alleged that brigade commander Colonel Taras Maksimov had been possibly involved 'in fictitious combat payments and extortion'. It also said the brigade had seen over 1,200 cases of soldiers going AWOL — absent without leave. 'After the publication of the article in Ukrainska Pravda, I ordered an additional official inspection of the facts revealed by journalists,' land forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty was cited as saying by the publication. A spokesperson for the unit confirmed to AFP that an 'inspection had been ordered'. Macron announced the creation of the Anne of Kyiv brigade—named after a Medieval Kyiv princess who married into the French royal family—during last year's commemorations of the 80 th anniversary of the Normandy landings. Paris hailed it as a 'unique' initiative and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to form a dozen other NATO-trained and equipped units. Ukraine's military has been beset with corruption scandals — ranging from weapons procurement to the falsification of draft exemption certificates — since Russia invaded in February 2022.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's French-trained brigade faces fresh misconduct allegations; Ground Forces commander launches probe
Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi ordered an inspection of the scandal-hit Ukrainian 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade following misconduct allegations within the brigade's command, Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 19. Drapatyi said this in a written statement to Ukrainska Pravda after the outlet published an investigation into a possible involvement of the brigade's commander, Colonel Taras Maksimov, in handing out falsified bonus payments and demanding bribes. The investigation also noted over 1,200 cases of personnel going absent without official leave (AWOL) since 2025 and failure to sufficiently supply the unit. The Western-trained brigade had previously faced a scandal in 2024, where a media investigation uncovered rampant mismanagement and desertion among the personnel, leading to an inspection and a command change. In early May, a new controversy arose after law enforcement officers detained the acting commander of the unmanned systems battalion of the 155th Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Sviatoslav Shumsky. According to investigators, the officer demanded bribes from his subordinates to grant them falsified bonuses for allegedly participating in combat on the front line. Ukrainska Pravda's sources in the brigade said that Shumsky was merely an intermediary between service members and the command, and that similar schemes likely operate in other battalions. Maksimov's possible involvement in the scheme is under investigation, the outlet said, citing law enforcement sources. In response to Ukrainska Pravda's inquiry, Drapatyi emphasized that he devoted much time to setting up the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade, finding a capable command, building up its combat capability, and providing it with drones. The commander added that Maksimov's candidacy for the 155th Brigade commander position was also selected by Volodymyr Shvediuk, the chief of the Western Operational Command. Drapatyi said that when looking for a candidate, he considered personal experience, feedback from his comrades, and the results of Maksimov's previous service. Drapatyi added that other candidates were also considered, but some had a lower professional level, and some refused because of other offers. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us The commander mentioned that the brigade was uncoordinated and poorly prepared at the time of the change of command. In Drapatyi's opinion, Maksimov's appointment significantly improved the brigade's condition and combat capability. "Whatever the achievements, I will not cover for anyone — there are no untouchables for me. I'm waiting for the results of all the inspections and what the investigation will find," Drapatyi said, adding that the investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) is still ongoing. "The command... is fully committed to exposing all those involved in the extortion. I want to emphasize to everyone who organizes such schemes: robbing their own brigade, mocking their comrades, profiting from blood. The punishment will be severe," he added. The brigade, initially intended as a flagship project for Ukrainian military modernization, was trained and equipped with assistance from France and other foreign partners. The brigade, which has approximately 5,800 troops, faced challenges from its inception. According to an investigation by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of 2,500 service members were reassigned to other units before training began, depleting its experienced personnel. Between March and November 2024, over 1,700 soldiers reportedly abandoned their posts, with an additional 50 deserting while training in France. Of the 1,924 soldiers sent to France for training, only 51 had more than a year of military service, while 1,414 had served fewer than two months. Replenishment efforts brought in new recruits, but Butusov claimed proper selection processes were often neglected, exacerbating the unit's operational challenges. The media investigation prompted a high-level inquiry and led to the dismissal and detention of its then-commander, Colonel Dmytro Riumshyn. Maksimov was appointed to take his place. Read also: As Russia's fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
