Ukraine launches probe into French-trained brigade

KYIV - Ukraine’s military has launched another investigation into the scandal-hit “Anne of Kyiv” brigade, trained in France, after a media report alleged financial misconduct among commanders, a military spokesperson said May 20.

The 155th Mechanised Brigade was supposed to be a flagship fighting force for Ukraine’s army, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron as a symbol of cooperation between Kyiv and Paris.

But it has been plagued by scandals, including reports of equipment shortages, low morale and soldiers abandoning the unit while undergoing training in France.

A spokesperson for Ukraine’s land forces confirmed that a fresh investigation had been launched but declined to elaborate.

The Ukrainska Pravda media outlet recently alleged that brigade commander Taras Maksimov had been possibly involved “in fictitious combat payments and extortion”.

It also said the brigade had seen over 1,200 cases of soldiers going absent without leave.

“After the publication of the article in the media, where new details and circumstances were revealed, an additional check was ordered to clarify all the facts set out in the article,” land forces commander Mykhailo Drapaty told AFP in a written statement.

He said a law enforcement investigation had started and that the land forces were taking “all necessary measures to facilitate the investigation and establish the truth.”

Mr Macron announced the creation of

the Anne of Kyiv brigade

– named after a Medieval Kyiv princess who married into the French royal family – in June 2024.

Paris hailed it as a “unique” initiative and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to form a dozen other Nato-trained and equipped units.

Ukraine’s military has been beset with corruption scandals – ranging from weapons procurement to the falsification of draft exemption certificates – since Russia invaded in February 2022. AFP