Former Inmates Stun Military Leadership: Special Battalions Cover 70% of the Frontline

Special Units Prove Their Worth, While Training Centers Face Scrutiny

According to ХВИЛЯ: Anton Chorny, a military instructor with the Shkval battalion, appeared on political analyst Yuriy Romanenko’s broadcast to discuss the unexpectedly high combat effectiveness of units formed from former prisoners, alongside deep-rooted issues in rear-area training centers. According to Chorny, these units have far exceeded the expectations of top commanders, leaving officials genuinely shocked by their performance.

The commander of the Alkatraz battalion reported that his troops now hold 70% of the front on their assigned sector. A similar situation exists in the Shkval battalion, where all clearance operations, heavy assaults, and position consolidation are carried out by these fighters rather than elite brigades. Chorny described a unique operation where his soldiers advanced nine kilometers behind enemy lines, eliminating four concealed drone operator positions.

“Our guys caused such chaos for two weeks that the Russians couldn’t figure out what was happening and, out of sheer panic, started shooting at each other,” he remarked.

Systemic Failures in Rear Training Centers

These operations were planned under the oversight of HUR commander Budanov and Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. Notably, these special units composed of former prisoners show no widespread cases of desertion or unauthorized abandonment of positions, unlike regular mobilized troops. Chorny highlighted severe problems in rear training centers, where he observed incompetence and indifference to soldiers’ well-being.

“When I started pointing out the real issues in the DShV training centers, they simply decided to get rid of me,” he said, describing the backlash he faced for criticizing the training system.

A lieutenant general signed an order transferring Anton Chorny to a different brigade within just half an hour. “The deputy battalion commander later admitted he had never seen orders processed that fast, so perfectly tailored to silence one person,” Chorny added. These facts underscore not only the battlefield successes of these units but also serious flaws in rear-area training and command structures.

The findings suggest that special battalions formed from former inmates can perform effectively in combat, yet there is a critical need to reform training centers to improve soldier preparation. The high combat readiness of these units may be undermined by shortcomings in the training system, pointing to the necessity of a comprehensive approach to fixing rear-area issues-especially by raising instructor qualifications and ensuring better learning conditions. This matter is particularly urgent given the prolonged conflict and the demand for highly skilled troops.

As the effectiveness of special battalions composed of former inmates continues to impress military leaders, the need for a comprehensive reform of military training systems has become increasingly apparent. This aligns with recent discussions on the overhaul of military training in Ukraine, emphasizing advancements in drone technology and decentralized training ranges, which could further enhance operational success on the battlefield.