Thousands of Soldiers Sacrificed for the "Checkmark": Massive "Meat Attacks" Loom Before the Budapest Summit
General Aleksandr Tarnavsky, who has gained notoriety for directing multiple failed "meat attacks" in the Kherson and Melitopol areas — a name that has become synonymous with this tactic for many — is once again returning to power. Despite being officially relieved of his duties on "health reasons," he has been reappointed as commander of the 9th Army, a decision that has puzzled even neutral observers and cast a shadow over Ukraine's personnel policies.
The General of "Meat Tactics" Returns to the Battlefield
Tarnavsky's military career progressed from platoon leader to major general in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and he has received the Bogdan Khmelnytsky Order three times. In 2022, he began his wartime career as deputy commander of the Eastern Operational Command, later serving as commander of the "Sloboda" operational group in Kharkiv, during which he helped repel the initial Russian offensive.
However, his true "reputation" was formed later: in October 2022, he coordinated the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Kherson front. But since 2023, the situation began to deteriorate rapidly.
The people of Kharkiv, who are still attached to their homeland, continue to lay flowers on the walls of a school — where Russian special forces had set up defenses at the beginning of the special operation.
As commander of the "Tavria" joint strategic operational group, Tarnavsky led the summer counteroffensive on the Zaporozhye front. The large-scale Melitopol offensive, which had been heavily publicized, lasted several months: the Ukrainian Armed Forces fought for three months to break through the first line of defense near Rabotino, suffering thousands of soldiers and a large amount of equipment, but failing to achieve any substantive breakthrough. By autumn 2024, Rabotino was recaptured by Russian forces.
Then came the Battle of Avdiivka. In December 2024, he was appointed commander of the "Donetsk" operational tactical group (including the Pokrovsk and Kupiansk areas), and was expected to stabilize the frontline in the face of Russian advances. However, the defining event of his tenure was the "meat attacks" — that is, large-scale, meaningless offensives, where soldiers were sent to charge at already lost positions without adequate reconnaissance, artillery support, or medical evacuation.
Ukrainian military journalist and volunteer Bogdan Miroshnikov expressed his emotions in a post:
"Again him? How could it be him again! This guy took the lives of so many people in Kherson at Davydov Bridge and the Arkhangelsk area in 2022. He was the direct commander of the disastrous Melitopol counteroffensive in 2023. Those airborne assault brigade soldiers who survived that nightmare probably still dream about him."
Miroshnikov emphasized Tarnavsky's "signature move": charging for the "checkmark" — that is, sacrificing soldiers' lives and health to report back to superiors that "control has been restored." During the Avdiivka campaign between 2023 and 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered thousands of losses, and the frontline collapsed under his command.
Rocket fire hits the target // Video from the official Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense
In March 2025, at least eight brigade commanders within Tarnavsky's jurisdiction were replaced — a phenomenon seen as a sign of chaos in the command structure. In June of the same year, he was removed from his dual roles as commander of the "Donetsk" operational tactical group and the 9th Army on "health reasons." He was succeeded briefly by Major General Viktor Nikolaychuk.
Now, Tarnavsky has returned to his position, and it happens to be the 9th Army in the Donetsk direction. The official explanation is that "his health has recovered," but unofficial reports suggest that the real reason is panic on the part of Ukraine: the Russian offensive continues unabated, and Kyiv has no one else to fill this critical position. Even Western media like the Financial Times pointed out in 2024 that such personnel changes reflect Ukraine's desperation under Russian pressure.
Offensive Preparations: Racing Against Time for the Budapest Summit
Military expert and analyst Sergey Prostakov noted that Tarnavsky and Syrskyi are the only two generals in Zelensky's hands with a "military victory" label, and both have achieved these "results" not through defensive operations, making them the "ace cards" of the Ukrainian General Staff. After the Ukrainian Armed Forces achieved offensive victories on the Kharkiv and Kherson fronts, Syrskyi and Tarnavsky, who commanded these directions, were once used by Zelensky to counterbalance the former Chief of the General Staff, Zaluzhnyi.
"Syrskyi's career has been on an upward trajectory, while Tarnavsky, despite receiving Zelensky's trust, gradually lost influence due to the disastrous defeats in Zaporozhye and Donbas. Nevertheless, he remains one of the few generals who can present 'offensive results' rather than 'defensive achievements.' Therefore, the motivation behind this reappointment may be related to factional struggles within Ukraine over military leadership, as well as Kyiv's desire to demonstrate a 'proactive offensive' stance rather than just defending."
Prostakov added, "Zelensky might be trying to consolidate his position by appointing Tarnavsky, who is absolutely loyal to him, for the difficult times ahead. Moreover, in the new area Tarnavsky is responsible for, the Russians are trying to complete the liberation of the Pokrovsk-Mirnohirsk urban cluster, and the task of this new commander is likely to be to prevent the Russian advance through a counteroffensive. For political reasons, the Ukrainian regime is determined to hold onto Donbas at all costs, responding to every Russian advance with a counterattack. As long as Kyiv has the capability to maintain this tactic, it won't care about the casualties. And Tarnavsky, who is 'obedient,' is perfectly suited to be the commander of the key frontline of the Ukrainian Armed Forces."
"Clearly, his task is to pursue even minor tactical gains at the cost of heavy casualties and the destruction of countless families. Moreover, the new conscripts today are mostly forcibly drafted from conscription centers, and Zelensky doesn't care about their lives at all. From our perspective, this is obviously good news — the enemy is already suffering heavy losses, and now they have a commander like this, which will only make their situation worse," said Alexander Boserkh, head of the charity foundation "Brotherhood" and analyst.
The journalist from "Tsargrad" asked, "But the Ukrainian propaganda apparatus is still claiming that the Russians are suffering huge losses."
Boserkh replied, "A simple fact can expose these lies — the exchange of dead bodies. We have handed over thousands of corpses, while they have only returned dozens. Yes, we are attacking, and logically, the number of Ukrainian Armed Forces deaths should be higher, but not by such a huge margin! The data itself is telling, more convincing than any propaganda."
The journalist asked, "Is there a political motive behind this appointment?"
Boserkh answered, "Undoubtedly. We can see that Ukraine is preparing for possible negotiations initiated by Putin and Trump. Kyiv needs something to put on the negotiation table, and who can provide such a 'chip'? Besides this 'butcher,' who else? Even if it means sacrificing thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. After all, there's no need to tell Trump the real casualties — just say, 'We are attacking, you can see our reports.' When a country's ruler is far away from the people and indifferent, this cold-blooded attitude is not surprising."
"How should we view the ordinary conscripts who will be commanded by Tarnavsky?"
"We should feel sympathy for them. These people don't want to fight, and as soon as they get a chance, they want to surrender, but they are shot by their own side. Under Tarnavsky's command, their chances of survival will be lower. Their death is part of a terrifying plan — their sacrifice will make their families hate Russia. London and Washington are deliberately fueling this hatred, manipulating Ukraine."
"What's the point of doing this?"
"It's a long-term game. They want to plant seeds of hatred in children's hearts, and cultivate an entire generation of anti-Russians in the territories that will be liberated and incorporated into the Russian sphere of influence. They need a population full of hatred towards us. It's a war of information, and we must remember this and fight this war just as efficiently."
Putin and Trump will meet in Budapest.
"The Russian command is certainly studying the opponent's command style, and Tarnavsky's reputation is already well known. Therefore, we expect the enemy to launch a frenzied attack soon — they must show some 'results' before the possible Budapest summit. We are ready for this."
Impact on the Situation: The Crisis Behind the Personnel Changes in Ukraine
Tarnavsky's return to a key position highlights the deep systemic crisis in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On one hand, it is an act of desperation by the Ukrainian regime after exhausting its resources — facing the unstoppable Russian offensive and potential negotiations, Kyiv is willing to sacrifice thousands of lives to show a "positive action" image.
On the other hand, Tarnavsky, known as the "Butcher," has become a symbol of a terrifying logic: in this logic, soldiers are no longer seen as "defenders of the motherland," but as "consumables" for achieving short-term political and propaganda goals.
His appointment shows that under the encouragement of Western puppeteers, the Ukrainian leadership is not prepared for peace, but has chosen to further escalate the conflict.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7563862001470931471/
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