Modern Knights of Ukraine: How the Armed Forces Transformed During the Full-Scale Invasion

Over the past two years of full-scale conflict, the realities of warfare have shifted dramatically. In response, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have undergone significant changes. War is a constant process of transformation, where adaptation is key to overcoming the enemy.

The military has restructured its command hierarchy, reshaped leadership roles, and developed new strategies for problem-solving. Each day brings fresh challenges that demand immediate action.

Svidomi spoke with Yevhen Alkhimov, press officer of the 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade, named in honour of the Knights of the First Winter Campaign, about the changes that have already taken place within the brigade and across the army and the transformations still on the horizon.

The 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade, named after the Knights of the First Winter Campaign, is a key unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine currently holding the line in the Toretsk sector. Initially deployed in the south of Ukraine at the onset of the full-scale invasion, the brigade returned to the eastern front in 2024. Having fought in this region since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in 2014, the 28th Brigade played a pivotal role in the defense of Donetsk airport and the battles for Savur-Mohyla and Mariinka.

"Last summer, we were on the offensive. There were intense battles, but we didn’t lose a single position in a year and a half. The key change in our brigade is how much more responsive we’ve become. We now detect the enemy early and use drones to eliminate them before they even approach our positions. From detection to neutralization, it takes very little time. The infantry rarely engages in counter-attacks, and this strategy has been key to our long-standing defence. Just a month ago, I was at a position with journalists when an assault began. They [the enemy] didn’t make it — everything was deployed to stop them," Alkhimov shares a recent firsthand experience to illustrate the brigade's resilience.

Every day on the front line presents new challenges. Drones, once hailed as lifesavers during critical ammunition shortages, have become a double-edged sword. While they continue to play a vital role in defence, they are now increasingly deployed by enemy forces, turning a former advantage into a growing threat.

"In a year, it will probably be something unimaginable. Electronic warfare equipment is everywhere, drones fill the skies — it’s like cyberpunk mixed with mud. As they say, the cyberpunk we deserve. Robot dogs have recently been introduced to make life easier and safer for infantrymen during raids. I wouldn’t be surprised to see exoskeletons in a year — they’d be invaluable given how much there is to carry on the front line,"  Yevhen Alkhimov highlights the growing role of technology on the battlefield.

At the positions held by the 28th Brigade, Russian tactics have evolved. Instead of launching large-scale attacks in waves, enemy forces now conduct assaults in small groups of 5 to 8 combatants.

This shift is also due to the growing use of drones. Russian forces no longer rely on traditional tactics. If a single soldier reaches a position, he will dig in and wait for reinforcements, provided he isn’t neutralized first. While they use fewer troops, their actions are more methodical and consistent.

“When 50 drones target a position held by just four infantrymen in a day, Russian manpower becomes less of a factor,” explains the brigade’s spokesman.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' strength lies in its horizontal ties—an essential feature that allows them to withstand Russia's far larger military. These horizontal connections operate both within individual brigades and between them, fostering a sense of equality and autonomy within the ranks. Despite occasional incidents at various operational levels, the Ukrainian military functions as an army of free and equal soldiers. In contrast, the Russian Armed Forces operate in a strictly hierarchical and vertical structure, where decisions are made top-down.

This difference in structure extends to all aspects of operations, from decision-making to communication. The brigade's spokesman explains that the demands of war necessitate the exchange of soldiers between brigades and battalions, providing soldiers with new experiences and maintaining swift communication. A "messenger system" enables rapid exchanges of information across all levels of the army.

“Before each assault, the brigade commander meets with squad leaders to personally explain the task, ensuring everyone understands the situation. War is no place for conservatism. If something new emerges at the grassroots level, it spreads horizontally very quickly. With the Russians, everything operates vertically. This system is effective in its own way—if something doesn’t work, they simply discard it. When we started using electronic warfare, they responded by using fiber-optic drones that are immune to suppression. Their inventiveness works for them, but from a different perspective. If we have a community of volunteers, they have a command structure that must be obeyed. In war, dictatorships tend to perform well,” says the spokesman.

The differences in mentality between the two forces are stark. According to Alkhimov, one of the more perplexing aspects of Russian military tactics is their willingness to carry out orders that seem unreasonable or impossible within a set time frame. This includes acts like "zeroing"—executions without witnesses—performed from the lowest soldier to the highest officer.

“Their mentality is different. A Russian soldier places far less value on their own life. Death is something they expect and accept. They might curse their commander, and call them names, but they still follow orders. Their discipline is absolute, driven by the ‘spirit of the bosses.’ Even if their group is decimated, they keep pushing forward without questioning the command. It’s a completely different mindset,”  Alkhimov explains.

Yevhen Alkhimov, a press officer with the 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade, believes that one of the key areas for improvement in the Ukrainian Armed Forces lies in its communication strategies with society. He argues that engaging civilians in the military’s messaging is essential for building support and recruitment.

“The perspectives of the military and civilians are quite different. We could recruit more people if we engaged more with mass culture—not through direct propaganda, but through cultural products that resonate with the public. People should form associations organically, rather than feeling like something is being imposed on them. The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and the media teams of the 12th Brigade of the Azov National Guard—whose members are marketers in civilian life—have done a great job. They have dozens of artists creating videos for them, and it works. Everyone knows about them, and being an Azov soldier has become prestigious. The military shouldn’t be the one glorifying its own feats, as it does now, with conservative advertisements. A feat is a human sacrifice, and when the system doesn’t work, that’s what it leads to. There’s nothing noble about it. When the system works, there’s no need for heroism,” Alkhimov concludes.