"They removed me unexpectedly", "They crushed and humiliated me": Commander Makukha, who rebuilt the 123rd Brigade, left his post

Officially — career advancement, unofficially — "they treated him like a doormat": Makukha on the transfers

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28 Jul 2026

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The former commander of Mykolaiv’s 123rd separate brigade of unmanned systems “Code Orion”, Colonel Oleh Makukha, reported the completion of his work leading the unit and reacted emotionally to the leadership’s decision to transfer him to another position.

Officially, the Regional Directorate of the Territorial Defense Forces “South” stated that Oleh Makukha was appointed to a higher position within that directorate as part of his continued service. The new commander of the 123rd brigade became Major Denys Hipik, who previously led the 1st battalion of unmanned systems.

At the same time, Oleh Makukha‘s Facebook post suggests that the personnel decision by the head of the Regional Directorate “South” was unexpected and painful for him. The colonel addressed the brigade servicemembers, volunteers, relatives of defenders and residents of Mykolaiv.

“Dear brothers-in-arms, Mykolaiv residents, volunteers, relatives and servicemembers of the 123rd Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems “Code Orion” of the Territorial Defense Forces. Our deeds and comrades speak for us…. Positions and epaulettes change, honor remains unchanged!”

In his address, Oleh Makukha described his combat and command path in detail. During the ATO and the JFO he served in positions from platoon and company commander to commander of the 21st separate motorized infantry battalion “Sarmat” within the 56th Separate Mariupol Motorized Infantry Brigade.

After studying at the National Defence University of Ukraine and the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the officer completed his training early and joined the formation of the 4th separate tank brigade as chief of staff.

According to the colonel, he took part in the Kharkiv operation and the defense of Soledar. For his service he was awarded the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky II and III degrees.

Later Oleh Makukha joined the formation of the 41st separate mechanized brigade and became the first commander of the unit “Medoidy”. Under his command, the troops took part in the defense of Kupiansk. He later served as chief of staff of the 22nd separate mechanized brigade.

After being appointed commander of the 123rd Territorial Defense brigade, the colonel said he received a unit in a depressed state — with a demotivated personnel after heavy losses and the destruction of battalions.

Oleh Makukha said that over time the team managed to unite servicemembers around the principle of preserving personnel, implementing technologies and preparing people for modern warfare.

“Time passed. The 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade rose from its knees. A united team of like-minded people whose aim is not to die but to defend their home and fight while implementing technologies and preserving personnel breathed new life into the unit.”

In the brigade, the former commander noted, they changed the approach to the quality of personnel training, built up a command system, introduced new means of battle planning and strengthened support for combat units.

An independent direction became the unmanned component. The brigade began transitioning to systematic use of unmanned systems in the air, on land and on water. In July 2026 the unit changed specialization and became the 123rd separate brigade of unmanned systems “Code Orion”.

Among the results of his work Oleh Makukha cited suppression of 92% of enemy FPV drones, conducting the world’s first operation to deploy a ground robotic complex onto a shore occupied by Russian occupiers, and striking “Shaheds” over the waters of the Black Sea at distances up to 60 kilometers.

The colonel also mentioned work with the families of the killed and missing servicemembers, the creation of a standard-bearer service and the formation of an effective sergeant corps for the brigade.

According to Oleh Makukha, the leadership’s decision to appoint him to another position was a “bolt from the blue” for him. Despite official reports of a promotion, the servicemember described his attitude toward the personnel reshuffle in much harsher terms.

“And like a thunderbolt on the head came the decision by the head of the RD South to appoint me to another position. They crushed me, humiliated me…. Contempt, disbelief… they wiped their feet on me…. Your brothers-in-arms speak for you. I have honor.”