Voloshin will not lead the new rapid-response forces; their structure is still under discussion
Brigadier General Dmytro Voloshin, whom the president named two months ago as a potential commander of the newly formed Joint Rapid Reaction Forces (JRRF), will not head this unit.
According to “Ukrainska Pravda,” the structure of the JRRF—which was planned to include all assault regiments—is still under discussion.
“The assault troops had no complaints about Voloshin as a person or a commander. But they did take issue with the fact that he came to them and said that 80 percent of the command structure would consist of paratroopers. Which of the paratroopers understands the system in which we (the assault troops—UP) are fighting?”
The official reason why Voloshin never took up the promised position of commander remains unknown. However, as far as UP is aware, it may stem from the fact that the assault troops did not accept a paratrooper as their leader—as someone from a “different culture.”
Voloshin has already returned to the 8th Airborne Corps, which is currently stationed in the Sumy region. This past weekend, he held a meeting with local journalists, at which he introduced himself as commander of the 8th Corps—meaning he has resumed the same position he held prior to the president’s announcement regarding the Special Operations Forces.
Two sources from the Defense Forces who spoke with UP name Voloshin’s colleague, paratrooper Pavlo Rozlach—former commander of the 80th Airborne Brigade—as his successor. In 2024, Rozlach led the 80th Brigade to the Kurshchyna region after his predecessor, Emil Ishkulov, refused to do so without additional reinforcements.
“Rozlach is indeed a candidate, but after this circus—where people are appointed to positions and then the decision is reversed (referring to Voloshin—UP)—I’m no longer sure of anything.”
However, another source notes that the format in which the assault regiments will operate is in question, and it is not certain that the “Joint Rapid Reaction Forces” will even remain in existence. As stated in one of the documents, “their composition and structure” may change significantly.
UP’s sources among the assault troops are outraged that their units are already beginning to be “broken up”—specifically, by reducing their authorized strength, removing engineering units from their ranks, and so on. They fear losing their chain of command and becoming units used merely to “plug gaps.”
“The downsizing of the assault units is divided into two stages—in the first, infantry battalions are being cut; in the second, the BPS. They want to leave us in a semi-functional state.”
However, it’s worth noting here that perhaps even UP’s high-ranking sources do not yet fully understand Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapaty’s plan—and do not realize what ultimately awaits the assault units.
Sources: four sources interviewed by UP, including high-ranking officials, from various units of the Defense Forces.
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