The Ukrainian Army Is Transforming On The Battlefield

One example of these changes was the Charter Corps.

The Ukrainian army is undergoing a major transformation amid the war with Russia, gradually moving away from the Soviet management system and introducing more flexible and technological approaches. This is reported by Associated Press.

One example of these changes was the Charter Corps, created at the start of the full-scale invasion by businessman Vsevolod Kozhemyako. Initially the unit had about 30 volunteers, but over time it grew to about 40,000 fighters and became one of the most effective formations within the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The founder of Charter himself emphasizes that the key task is to create a modern army, which will be the main guarantee of the country's security. Charter's rapid expansion reflects a broader process of change, with a new wave of units forming in the AFU, including the Third Army Corps and Azov, which are moving away from the rigid Soviet hierarchy.

Ukraine inherited a large army after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but by 2014 its weaknesses - underfunding, corruption and lack of a clear strategy - were evident. Despite reforms after 2022, some of the problems persisted: a rigid chain of command, bureaucracy and a culture in which bad news was often hidden for fear of punishment, the publication said.

New units are trying to change this approach. At Charter, the military says, it relies on initiative, trust and adaptation. They are incorporating elements of Western military practices, including procedures for planning and analyzing operations, as well as actively using technology such as drones and robotic ground systems.

The military notes that such units are less formal and more focused on real tasks. The relationship between commanders and soldiers is built on trust, which they say increases effectiveness in combat conditions.

The results are already showing up on the battlefield. In late 2025, Charter units conducted a counterattack in the Kupyansk direction, pushing back Russian forces and liberating several settlements. Analysts noted that the operation demonstrated the Ukrainian forces' ability to conduct successful counterattacks even in a protracted war.

The changes extend not only to tactics, but also to organization. Units are actively using tools from the civilian sphere - from recruiting and branding to social media outreach - to attract new fighters and resources.

The Charter and Third Army Corps commanders have already begun joint training programs, seeking to spread their approach to other parts of the army. But the reform process faces resistance within the system, where the influence of old practices persists, the publication said.

The demand for change is nevertheless growing. The new units are increasingly being approached by other parts of the AFU interested in adopting their experience, indicating a gradual shift of the entire military system towards a more modern model.

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