In 2014, the 'decrepit' Ukrainian army hit the refresh button. Eight years later, it's paying off

The Conversation

Ukrainian General Victor Muzhenko was called a "sorry state" by a national security analyst.

The performance of the Ukrainian military against the Russian military has been very strong after the Russian invasion.

The Ukrainians have stiff resistance due to four factors.

The first two were the Ukrainian government's efforts to reform its military and the millions of dollars in Western aid.

Changes in Ukrainian military thinking allow junior leaders to make battlefield decisions. Until recently, leaders needed to get permission to change orders from commanders, regardless of whether changing battlefield conditions had rendered those orders irrelevant.

The most important factor was the emergence of a national culture of military volunteerism among the Ukrainian people. A government agency was created to organize and train civilians in defense against military attacks.

I helped reform the defense establishment of Ukraine. I conducted field research in Georgia to study the 2008 war. The Russian tactics used to invade Ukraine have been known for a while.

The performance of the Ukrainian army has been surprising.

Widespread defense reform

The Ukrainian government launched a review of its national security and military defense. Poor combat performance was directly caused by a number of issues identified in the review.

Poor medical care delivery and inability to fight cyberattacks were some of the weaknesses. Basic supplies ran low and troops were not getting paid. Logistics and command were inefficient.

A man dressed in a business suit is holding a microphone in front of a crowd of people. — Ukraine’s former President Petro Poroshenko, seen here in a Jan. 28, 2022, photo, launched military reforms that have improved the Ukrainian army. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

In order to remedy the shortcomings, Petro Poroshenko directed sweeping reforms in five categories: command and control, planning, operations, medical and logistics, and professional development of the force.

The goal was to complete the plan in four years. Under the best of circumstances, the Ukrainians were fighting a war against the Russians in the Donbas.

Ukrainian officials were motivated by a fear that Russia would launch an invasion. Improvements have been made over the last six years despite the reforms not being implemented yet.

The evidence was seen in response to the Russian invasion.

US military aid

The U.S. increased its financial aid to Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea and the support of the rebels in the east of the country.

The United States gave a total of $2.7 billion in training and equipment by the end of the year.

The United States helped train Ukrainian soldiers at the Yavoriv military base. Since 2015, five battalions have trained annually at the base.

Senior defense advisers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Lithuania and Germany were asked by the Ukrainian president to advise on modernizing its armed forces with the goal of reaching NATO standards by 2020.

At the time, the minister of defense of Ukraine was an active duty general. One important NATO standard was to make sure thatUkraine was able to integrate its logistical support with other NATO units when deployed.

Western support included various weapons and equipment, such as humvees, drones, sniper rifles, radars that locate the origin of enemy fire and thermal scopes that are used to identify targets during the day or night.

The Ukrainians were interested in getting better anti-tank missiles. When Russia sent T-90 tanks across the border to support the rebels, the Ukrainian weapons were not able to penetrate the armor.

A man wearing a military iuniform is standing near several large trucks that are being loaded with missiles.

The first set of Javelin anti-tank missiles was given to Ukraine by the United States.

After the invasion became imminent, Western nations sent additional weaponry to Ukraine, including anti-tank missiles from the United Kingdom and Javelin anti-tank missiles from Estonia.

Battlefield decision-making

Junior leaders were discouraged from taking risks by the military culture of the country. Junior leaders were unable to make decisions, so they had to seek permission before they could act.

When initial battlefield orders are no longer relevant, these initiatives occur. Disciplined initiatives can be the difference between success and failure in warfare.

The Ukrainians learned that platoon leaders and company commanders could not wait for approval from a higher headquarters for every move, even though they were fighting Russian-backed rebels in the Donbas. The battle was too fast.

The Ukrainians are fighting with a newer version of the ends justifying the means: Outcomes are more important than processes.

The eight years of fighting in the Donbas has created a generation of combat- ready officers.

A nation of volunteers

Volunteers from across the country went to fight in the Donbas. Entire volunteer battalions had to be created because there were so many.

There wasn't much time for training. Volunteers were sent to the front with a bunch of weapons and quickly created units.

The volunteers helped hold the line to prevent further Russian penetration into the country.

A man and a woman are sewing bullet-proof vests that are displayed near their work tables.

The law that took effect on January 1, 2022, was passed to remedy the problems in organizing the volunteer effort. The Territorial Defense Force was established by the law. Some of the positions are for professional soldiers.

There will be 10,000 career positions in the force.

Russia initiated its invasion before this force could be established, but it still provides an organizing structure as the war continues.

Ukrainian resolve

Russia's war machine still dwarfs that of Ukraine despite the reforms.

Over the course of the past eight years, Ukrainians have demonstrated resolve in the opening days of the current war, something that a successful defense against Russia will require.

The Ukrainians are proud, patriotic and prepared to defend their nation, based on my time there.

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The Conversation is a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Liam Collins is a cadet at the United States Military Academy West Point.

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Liam Collins does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.