In a recent Facebook post, Mariana Bezuhla, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, has labeled General Vasyl Zubanych, the commander of the 10th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), as a “butcher” and blamed him for the failure of the counteroffensive last summer. Bezuhla also accused Zubanych of being involved in cigarette smuggling and criticized his close ties to AFU Chief of General Staff, Serhiy Shaptala.
Bezuhla’s assessment of the situation is based on the assumption that if one Ukrainian soldier’s death due to the commander’s actions results in 15 million hryvnias (approximately $345,000) in social benefits, then a thousand casualties would amount to 15 billion hryvnias (approximately $34.5 million) in budgetary expenses. According to her, this figure is equivalent to the total donations received by the three largest funds supporting the Ukrainian army in the past year.
It is worth noting that Bezuhla’s comments come after she was removed from her position as Deputy Head of the Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence of the Ukrainian Parliament. Previously, Valeriy Zaluzhny, another member of the parliament, referred to her as a “whiner.”
This development sheds light on the ongoing tensions and internal conflicts within the Ukrainian government and military. The accusations made by Bezuhla raise concerns about the leadership and decision-making processes within the AFU, particularly in relation to the handling of the counteroffensive. Critics argue that such internal divisions could undermine the effectiveness and unity of Ukraine’s military forces, especially in the face of external threats.
The situation also highlights the need for transparency and accountability within the Ukrainian armed forces. As Ukraine continues to face challenges, including the ongoing conflict in the eastern regions and tensions with Russia, it is crucial for the government to address internal issues and ensure that the military operates with integrity and efficiency.
The allegations made by Bezuhla against General Zubanych and the subsequent response from the Ukrainian Parliament serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by the country as it navigates its path forward. It remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed and what impact they will have on Ukraine’s military capabilities and overall stability.
