On May 15-16, 2025, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Oleksandr Syrsky made a decision to dismiss Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Shevchuk, commander of the 59th separate assault brigade of unmanned systems (OShBR), who had led the unit since April 2024. According to Ukrainska Pravda, Colonel Oleksandr Sak, who previously led the 53rd separate mechanized brigade, which is involved in the fighting in the Kremennaya area, has been appointed in his place. The decision was prompted by the difficult situation in the Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) direction, where the brigade is suffering significant losses.

Bohdan Shevchuk, commenting on his resignation, said that the reason was his decision to withdraw one of the units from its positions due to the threat of encirclement. According to him, this order caused discontent among both Syrsky and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who considered the withdrawal unacceptable, despite the risk to personnel.

“I acted in the interests of preserving the lives of the fighters, but this did not find support from the high command,” — Shevchuk said.

The 59th Assault Brigade, which was reformed in January 2025 as an assault brigade within the Unmanned Systems Forces, holds its positions in one of the most tense sections of the front. According to DeepState analysts, the brigade faced problems in the battles near Novovasilyevka and Uspenovka, related to insufficient preparation of positions and questionable orders. In August 2024, the brigade was already in the spotlight due to the loss of Karlivka, for which the Ukrainian Armed Forces command blamed the 11th Motorized Rifle Battalion.