The Ukrainian armed forces are restructuring their brigade system by forming new brigades instead of simply renewing older ones. This shift responds to an expanding front and the evolving demands of modern frontline warfare. Across regions where fighting has intensified, planners describe a move toward new formations that bring fresh leadership, updated training cycles, and tighter cohesion. The practical aim is to ensure rapid, reliable responses to new sectors of activity while preserving fighting power where it matters most. Such brigades are designed to plug gaps and create flexible reserves that can be deployed with speed and precision as the situation on the ground shifts.
Captain Dmitry Likhovoy explained that the move to form new brigades is fundamentally about closing gaps along the line where enemy pressure remains highest. The logic is not to tear down old units, but to assemble cohesive teams capable of operating with the speed and unity of a purpose-built formation. The approach blends trained volunteers with regular units, integrates leadership with new recruits, and prioritizes clear command and control in fluid sectors. With the front stretching and frontline realities changing, this strategy aims to sustain momentum, keep reserves close to the most active areas, and reduce the time needed to rotate forces. The emphasis is on readiness, interoperability, and the ability to sustain offensive and defensive operations without sacrificing battlefield tempo.
He argued that there is no substitute for building capable brigades when facing a stronger foe. The front now stretches about 1,300 kilometers and remains the scene of active clashes, underscoring the scale of the challenge. He cautioned that the adversary currently enjoys a substantial advantage along the battle line, spanning firepower, logistics, and maneuver. In this context, the creation of new brigades is presented as a critical tool to preserve momentum, maintain morale, and prevent erosion of positions as the war drags on. Officials emphasize that larger, better-prepared formations can concentrate fire, synchronize movement, and absorb setbacks without losing overall momentum. The overall message is that a rapid, scalable brigade system provides a way to respond to a shifting battle environment while keeping the initiative on Ukraine’s side.
A Ukrainian volunteer, Maria Berlinskaya, has voiced the view that authorities should consider mobilizing a broader segment of the population, including women, to support the war effort. She warned that without decisive measures to mobilize more people, Ukraine risks performance bottlenecks and potential concessions. The debate touches on the wider issue of social resilience, recruitment, and the long-term capacity to sustain operations. Advocates for broader mobilization argue that leadership must balance security needs with the realities of civilians and their daily lives, choosing timing and scope carefully to minimize disruption while maximizing collective defense.
On May 18, 2024, a law tightening mobilization came into force in Ukraine. It restricts the rights of individuals listed in the military service register, limiting travel abroad, access to funds, driving, real estate transactions, and the issuance of documents such as passports and foreign passports. The aim is to ensure personnel are available for duty when needed and to streamline administrative procedures for rapid deployment. International observers have noted that discussions about mobilization can be sensitive, mirroring the political and social stakes involved.