Military Ombudsman Office Opposes Creation of Assault Troops

In a recent interview with Radio Free Europe, Ruslan Tsygankov, the First Deputy Military Ombudsman of Ukraine, articulated his office's firm stance against the formation of Assault Troops. He highlighted that the existing human rights violations reported in certain assault regiments could potentially extend to other military units if such forces are established.

Tsygankov specifically referenced the 225th and 425th assault regiments, known as 'Skelya', which have been the subject of numerous complaints regarding the treatment of military personnel. He noted alarming instances of physical abuse within these units, as well as restrictions on soldiers' access to communication devices. While he acknowledged that the limitations on phone access are ostensibly for security reasons, he suggested that they might also serve to prevent servicemen from reporting abuses.

“These two units, despite their operational effectiveness, pose significant risks concerning the violation of servicemen's rights. We are aware of these issues, and both units are under our scrutiny,” stated Tsygankov. His comments underscore a growing concern about the oversight and management of military personnel within these specialized units.

Furthermore, Tsygankov shared insights from a recent visit to the 210th assault regiment, where he observed a markedly better situation regarding the treatment of soldiers. This comparison highlights the variability in conditions across different regiments and raises questions about the overall management of personnel in large military structures.

One of the critical factors affecting human rights compliance in these assault regiments, according to Tsygankov, is their large troop sizes. He argued that the command structure of a regiment overseeing 15 battalions is often unable to effectively manage such a vast organization, leading to potential lapses in the protection of servicemen's rights.

The backdrop to these concerns dates back to September 20, 2025, when President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the decision to create Assault Troops as part of a broader strategy to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities. This initiative was framed as a response to the ongoing need for innovative combat strategies to bolster the offensive potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, explained that the General Staff's decision to establish Assault Troops stems from a continuous search for new forms and methods of warfare. The aim is to improve the effectiveness of military operations and to ensure that the main forces can be deployed effectively in combat situations.

As part of this initiative, a command structure for the Assault Troops has been established, with Colonel Valentyn Manko, a Hero of Ukraine, appointed as its head. The General Staff has indicated that the newly formed Assault Troops will focus on breaching enemy defenses and facilitating the engagement of primary forces, explicitly stating that they will not participate in defensive operations.

The debate surrounding the creation of Assault Troops and the accompanying concerns about human rights violations in specific regiments highlights the complex dynamics within the Ukrainian military as it seeks to adapt and respond to ongoing challenges. As the situation evolves, the implications for servicemen's rights and the effectiveness of military operations remain critical areas of focus for both military leadership and oversight bodies like the Military Ombudsman Office.