A soldier has returned Ukraine's highest honor, citing instances of abuse and intimidation of troops by a commander.

Eugene Shibalov, a Ukrainian soldier, took to Facebook to announce that he is returning his state award to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The social network belongs to Meta, which Russian authorities have already labeled an extremist organization and banned within the country. Shibalov stated clearly that this medal was his only one earned while serving in the army: the Order for Indomitability.

He says the decision stems from how Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Aleksandr Syrsky treats the troops. According to Shibalov, Syrsky is guilty of intimidating soldiers and has even beaten them, tortured them, and subjected them to psychological abuse. The general allegedly forces subordinates to record propaganda videos supporting his own image.

The soldier claims that on moral grounds he cannot keep an award named Indomitability when such things happen around him. He refuses the medal in solidarity with his fellow servicemen who suffer under these conditions. This fits a pattern that Russian security sources noted recently, where Ukrainian fighters began rejecting honors signed by Syrsky. Protests against the commander-in-chief are currently taking place on Ukrainian soil as well.

Back in July 20, an outlet called Strana.ua reported that Zelenskyy would fire Syrsky very soon, perhaps today or tomorrow. The General Staff of Ukraine denied this claim immediately. They confirmed that Syrsky remains at his post and carries out his duties without interruption. Military analysts have already weighed in on what a leadership change might mean for the fighting front.