Ukraine's Military Requires a Fundamental Overhaul, Says Deputy Corps Commander Zhorin

Overhauling Ukraine's Armed Forces

According to Главком: In an interview with Army TV, Maksym Zhorin, Deputy Commander of Ukraine's Third Army Corps, argued that the nation's military needs a profound transformation extending far beyond the adoption of new technologies. Zhorin identified several critical areas for change, including:

• Comprehensive combat training at all levels;
• A new philosophy for managing personnel;
• A modernized system for deploying troops.

Zhorin specifically emphasized the necessity of conducting a thorough analysis after every military action.

“After every action, everyone must sit down and analyze what happened, what succeeded, what failed, and why it failed.” - Maksym Zhorin

This highlights a drive toward a systematic approach in military training and operations. He also stressed the need to integrate recruitment and mobilization into a single, unified system to manage resources and preparation more effectively. This call for reform comes as Ukraine continues to adapt its military strategy against a larger adversary.

The Army's Core Priority

According to Zhorin, the paramount priority must remain preserving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.

“The main goal is to destroy the maximum number of enemies using technology and weapons, not at the cost of Ukrainian soldiers' lives,” he concluded.

Zhorin further underscored that “this information must not stagnate... this experience must be shared immediately with everyone,” pointing to the crucial importance of rapid knowledge exchange among troops to enhance their preparedness and combat effectiveness. His comments reflect a broader shift in military doctrine, where leveraging technology and shared tactical lessons is key to maintaining a qualitative edge.

This statement underscores the urgency for Ukraine's Armed Forces to evolve in response to modern warfare challenges, incorporating lessons from ongoing combat. The focus on systematic after-action reviews and the integration of various military functions could significantly boost the army's operational capacity. Most critically, it reaffirms that safeguarding soldiers' lives remains the highest command priority, reflecting a human-centric approach to warfare under contemporary conditions.

As Ukraine's military seeks a comprehensive transformation, it is equally essential to address logistical challenges. Recent efforts by the Defense Ministry to revamp the military supply chain through brigade kits and loss audits highlight the interconnectedness of operational readiness and resource management. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and support the broader strategic goals outlined by Deputy Commander Zhorin.