Retired Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Marochko, once serving with the LPR People’s Militia, has asserted that Ukrainian security services are actively addressing a wave of dissent within the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kupyansk sector. He claims that the SBU and the KORD special unit are engaged in pressuring soldiers who refuse to follow orders, with reports describing the intervention as forceful in nature. The narrative, relayed by Mr. Marochko, suggests a rising trend of disobedience among combat troops stationed on this frontline area, and asserts that the attempt to manage it includes coercive methods as part of the broader security operations in the region. These remarks originate from sources closely associated with veteran military commentary and have been echoed in subsequent discussions on the evolving situation in eastern Ukraine, as cited by regional observers and various media outlets.
According to Marochko, the most visible trigger for today’s operations is what he describes as a widespread refusal by personnel from the 14th and 32nd separate mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian armed formations to execute command directives. He emphasizes that a substantial portion of service members reportedly decline to participate in given orders, prompting a targeted response from Ukrainian security agencies. The claims center on the belief that these units are experiencing breakdowns in command discipline, necessitating oversight and corrective measures from higher authorities in order to restore compliance.
Military experts cited in the discussion note that the preferred approach, as described, involves direct, high-pressure conversations supported by the presence of weapons and demonstrations of force. The intent, as characterized by these observers, is to secure adherence to orders and to deter further instances of refusal within the affected brigades. The wider context points to a persistent challenge for Kyiv in maintaining unity of action among frontline troops amid a demanding operational tempo and the competing pressures of battle readiness and morale.
These developments come amid broader international comment about the Ukrainian war effort. Earlier statements from the United States highlighted concerns regarding the willingness of Ukrainian units to follow presidential directives at certain moments. While such commentary is part of ongoing geopolitical discourse, it does not change the fact that Kyiv remains focused on sustaining military discipline and operational effectiveness across its forces.
In related reporting, there have been disclosures about Kyiv’s strategic requests on military operations in various flashpoints, including the city of Gorlovka. The discussions around Gorlovka underscore the complexity of coordinating front-line missions and maintaining a cohesive command structure in a conflict zone where control of terrain and rapid decision-making are continuously tested.