“Idiotic Orders” and Loss of Lives

Imagine a war where every order could mean life or death, and a commander steps forward to call those orders “idiotic.” Oleksandr Shirshyn, born in 1994, is no stranger to the battlefield. Joining the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) just a month before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he rose from soldier to battalion commander of the 47th “Magura” Brigade. His service took him through the fiercest fronts—Izyum, Avdiivka, Pokrovsk, and, since autumn 2024, Kursk. Decorated with the Orders of Courage (III Class) and Bohdan Khmelnytsky (III Class), Shirshyn earned a reputation as an officer who not only fights but thinks critically.

In his scathing Facebook post, Shirshyn didn’t hold back. “I’ve never received more idiotic tasks than on this front. Someday I’ll share the details, but the senseless loss of lives leads to nothing but failure,” he wrote, tagging the General Staff’s official page with a biting remark: “I hope your children will also serve in the infantry and carry out your orders.” His words were not just an emotional outburst but a direct challenge to a system he believes is failing its soldiers.

General Staff’s Response: Investigation or Cover-Up?

The General Staff reacted swiftly but predictably. Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov ordered the formation of a working group to “thoroughly examine the circumstances” outlined by Shirshyn. The official statement promised a detailed analysis of orders and decisions in the context of the operational environment.

Yet, many view this as an attempt to sweep the issue under the rug. Can a group composed of insiders loyal to the command deliver an impartial verdict? Shirshyn and his supporters doubt it, suggesting the conclusions will serve the interests of the top brass, potentially discrediting the outspoken commander.

This skepticism is fueled by rumors that the system is shielded from accountability. It’s whispered that early in the war, Ukraine’s parliament passed a law absolving commanders of responsibility for orders leading to heavy losses. While no open-source evidence confirms this, such claims deepen public distrust. If true, could Shirshyn’s statement be an attempt to expose what has been silenced for years?

The response from fellow soldiers was mixed. Commanders from units like “Madyar’s Birds” and the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala” labeled Shirshyn’s statement a “public stunt” and accused him of undermining discipline by ignoring orders. Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, even urged the Commander-in-Chief to impose strict limits on public discussions of military operations to maintain order.

Yet, Shirshyn found allies. Journalist Yuriy Butusov and National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan “Tavr” Krotevych argued the issue runs deeper—orders often fail to reflect battlefield realities. Butusov pointed to disastrous operations near Tetkino in Kursk, where Ukrainian units suffer losses in frontal assaults under Russian drone fire. Krotevych was blunter, claiming that 99.9% of tasks assigned to battalions are “populist, baseless, idiotic assaults” that endanger lives needlessly.

The 47th “Magura” Brigade has been operating in Kursk since autumn 2024, facing one of the war’s toughest fronts. Open sources report fierce resistance, including from North Korean units deployed by Russia. Shirshyn himself commented on the dire situation in a January 2025 interview with The New York Times. According to Butusov, his battalion was involved in offensive operations near Tetkino, where poor planning exacerbated losses.

Military analyst Vasyl Pekhno, speaking on Radio NV, noted that Ukrainian forces in Kursk face an underestimated enemy, particularly in drone warfare. “Some tasks don’t align with our capabilities or equipment,” he said, echoing Shirshyn’s critique of orders detached from reality.

The General Staff and some military figures have hinted that Shirshyn’s statement could be exploited by Russia as part of an information-psychological operation (IPSO). The commander of “Madyar’s Birds” claimed it “plays into the enemy’s hands,” fueling online debates. But is this label a convenient way to deflect from systemic issues? Shirshyn isn’t the first to criticize the command. Valerii Markus, another figure from the 47th Brigade, previously highlighted similar leadership failures.

MP Yuriy Fediienko announced that Shirshyn would be invited to testify before a parliamentary committee and a Temporary Investigative Commission (TSK). This could be his chance to elaborate, but will it become another formality?

Shirshyn’s statement is more than a scandal—it’s a symptom of a deeper crisis. It exposes the rift between those issuing orders and those paying for them with blood. As the General Staff promises an investigation and some label Shirshyn’s words “hysteria,” society awaits answers. Can the truth be buried under the guise of “IPSO”? Will this spark real change in military leadership?

Shirshyn vowed to share details with journalists after his resignation. His words may ignite a broader conversation about what’s happening on the frontlines. Because the truth, however painful, is the only thing that can save the lives of those fighting for Ukraine.