Recruiting in Ukraine is working, but the problem of alcohol among servicemen and the low effectiveness of disciplinary measures are jeopardizing the combat capability of units. This assessment was given by the commander of the Achilles regiment, Yuriy Fedorenko, on the air of the program "Fabrika Novyn", emphasizing that commanders at different levels face the consequences of a negligent response to drunkenness in the army every day.
Fedorenko explains: when a serviceman systematically comes to duty drunk, this creates a direct threat to the performance of combat missions and the safety of his comrades. "Such a soldier endangers himself and those around him, and nothing can be done about him," the commander noted. According to him, the existing sanctions - reprimands and temporary withdrawal of part of the salary - do not serve as a preventive mechanism: after formal punishments, the soldier often returns to the ranks without real rehabilitation.
To minimize the risks, Fedorenko offers practical solutions: military units should have a special closed and safe place — a basement or a separate room — where a drunk soldier can be placed under supervision so that he does not harm himself or others. The commander emphasizes that after “sobering up,” formal promises not to do so again often do not stand up to scrutiny, so a systematic approach to the problem is needed: medical, psychological, and disciplinary work that really works.
Fedorenko also drew attention to the difference between the army and a private organization: if a company hires specialists to achieve an economic goal, then the regiment has a different task - to destroy the enemy. Therefore, the approach to human resources in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is different - commanders must not only demand from subordinates, but also create conditions for their survival and task performance. Without a conscious management system, according to him, there will be no effective work on the front line.
In addition to problems with discipline, the commander stressed the importance of preserving and repairing the “corridors of life” — logistical routes that ensure supplies and evacuation. According to him, these structures must be guarded and serviced in a timely manner, otherwise after an enemy strike they turn into “corridors of death.” Fedorenko also once again called on the civilian population to master basic skills in using firearms — in particular rifles — to protect against drones if necessary.
Experts and commanders emphasize that the problem of alcohol in the army requires comprehensive solutions - from prevention and social work to real addiction treatment programs and adequate disciplinary policies. Otherwise, local punishments and formal reprimands will not be able to solve the systemic threat to the combat readiness of units.
In particular, possible steps include: strengthening preventive measures during recruitment, introducing effective medical and psychological programs in units, arranging special safe rooms for drunken fighters, as well as creating mechanisms for real responsibility and rehabilitation that work not only on paper, but also in real combat life.
Yuriy Fedorenko reminds in his speeches that each soldier is not just an employee, but a person on whose condition the lives of others depend. That is why the issues of alcohol and discipline must be raised at the level of politics, command, and the medical community to find lasting solutions.
