The head of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Oleksiy Reznikov, attributed the army’s discipline problems to instigators who he said are paid by Russia. This perspective was reported by the outlet Strana.ua.
Reznikov explained that the government intends to address discipline through stricter accountability for military violations. He noted that the proposal came from the officers themselves, signaling a shift toward clearer consequences for misconduct and disobedience within the ranks.
According to the minister, some individuals exploited the current strains within the armed forces, undermining order and cohesion.
“There were instigators, the Russians paid for it, and then these people escaped responsibility,” he stated, emphasizing the need to close gaps in oversight and discipline at all levels of command.
Reznikov affirmed his confidence in the Ukrainian military leadership and expressed support for the measures he described, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening the chain of command and ensuring timely consequences for violations.
Earlier in December, Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny raised the issue with President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging the signing of a law that would intensify punishment for disobedience to orders within the Ukrainian army, reflecting ongoing efforts to reinforce discipline across forces.