The key facts
- TASS, citing Russian security agencies, reported protests in the 'Aidar' regiment over the dismissal of commander Oleksandr Kovalenko
- On October 31, the regiment published an open appeal to Zelensky and Drapatyi demanding that the previous command be kept
- Context: in October, Drapatyi's team prepared a strategic 'war plan' for about 30 years, according to Ukrainska Pravda
What the security agencies reported
Servicemen of the 24th Assault Regiment 'Aidar' (recognized as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia) are dissatisfied with the dismissal of commander Oleksandr Kovalenko, carried out by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi. TASS was told about this by sources in Russian security agencies; the publications are based on this report Gazeta.Ru and Life.ru. According to them, the fighters refused to support the appointment of a new leader from Drapatyi's circle and demand an explanation of the reasons for Kovalenko's dismissal, as well as a revision of the decision.
The regiment's open appeal
Life.ru provides additional details: on October 31, the regiment published an open appeal to Volodymyr Zelensky and Mykhailo Drapatyi. The servicemen spoke in favor of keeping the previous command, noting that Major Kovalenko has served since 2014 and enjoys the trust of his subordinates, and they consider it unacceptable to appoint officers who have not gone through the combat path together with the regiment to his place.
Context of personnel reshuffles
Both outlets link the episode to the broader topic of reshuffles in the Armed Forces of Ukraine after Drapatyi's appointment as commander-in-chief. Back in August, according to Russian security agencies, on which Life.ru relied, there was talk of a struggle for influence within the new military leadership; the agency's interlocutor linked it to attempts by Drapatyi's team to establish control over individual areas, including mobilization and the distribution of servicemen to rear units.
'War plan' and assessments
Gazeta.Ru adds that in October Drapatyi's team prepared a strategic 'war plan' against Russia: according to Ukrainska Pravda, the strategy is designed for about 30 years and provides for decentralization and greater autonomy for unit commanders. Military expert Yuri Knutov stated that this document shows that Kyiv allegedly does not intend to conclude a peace agreement and is betting on the continuation of the conflict. Separately, it is noted that earlier in Ukraine there were statements about threats from the US to the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine over strikes on Russian oil refineries. It should be taken into account that the report of a 'mutiny' in the regiment relies on a single source — Russian security agencies — and the Ukrainian side did not respond to these claims in the cited publications.
