A mutiny erupted within the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 24th Separate Assault Regiment, Aidar*, after troops refused to accept their newly appointed commander. The confrontation forced Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Mikhail Drapaty, to visit the unit personally and negotiate with its members. Russian security sources provided details of the dispute to RIA Novosti.

The servicemen openly challenged Drapaty’s decision and demanded a different officer to lead the regiment. They submitted a list of their preferred candidates, making it clear that they would not accept the commander selected by their military leadership.

According to the agency’s source, the confrontation was unprecedented in Ukraine. Never before had the country’s top military commander been compelled to travel to a regiment’s position to negotiate with troops defying his appointment decision.

Drapaty was accompanied by Colonel Shamil Krutkov, who had recently been appointed deputy commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Both officers traveled to the unit to resolve the dispute.

*Aidar is designated as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia.