Ukraine builds new brigades instead of reinforcing old units. Here’s why

Ukraine is establishing new military brigades rather than reinforce existing ones in response to growing Russian forces and an expanded front line, the spokesperson of the Ukrainian General Staff, Dmytro Lykhovii, told Ukrainska Pravda. “Recently, the enemy has increased the number of regiments, brigades, divisions, and personnel by almost 100,000 people. The length of the front line also increased,” Lykhovii said. The Ukrainian military faces a formidable challenge: covering a 1,300-kilometer front line against a Russian force that, according to Lykhovii, sometimes holds a 5:1 advantage in personnel along the battle line. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are focusing on building new brigades to counter these intensified risks without overstretching existing units.

“When there is a threat of losing positions and lines of defense of certain brigades, the redeployment of individual battalions from other military units is involved,” Lykhovii explained.

By forming new brigades, the Ukrainian military can deploy already-prepared battalions to high-risk areas rather than delaying responses to accommodate new recruits requiring additional training and integration into existing units. Additionally, forming new brigades is essential for rotation purposes, while current brigades need relief after extended time on the front lines.

“You can’t limit yourself to simple replenishment of brigades that have suffered significant losses either,” Lykhovii added, pointing out the need for thorough combat coordination.

Under the current conditions, quickly replenishing brigades with new personnel is challenging, given that it requires advance scheduling and time for soldiers to adapt and coordinate with their units. This approach—creating new brigades ready for immediate deployment—remains the most efficient way to counter Russian advances and reduce the risk of breakthroughs along critical front points.

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