Decentralized decision-making in small units: the experience of the russian-ukrainian war

Abstract

Modern conditions of armed struggle require new approaches to the management of small units. The experience of the russian-ukrainian war has shown that the effectiveness of combat operations depends not only on technical equipment, but also on the ability of platoon and unit commanders to make decisions independently in conditions of limited information and a rapidly changing situation.

In the practice of combat operations, the principle of decentralized control (mission command) is increasingly used, which involves providing subordinates with a significant level of autonomy in performing tasks. The senior commander determines the overall goal, plan and final result, while the methods of achieving it are determined at lower levels of management. This approach significantly reduces the unit's response time, increases the initiative of commanders on the ground, and reduces the risk of control paralysis in the event of loss of communication or a change in the situation.

The decentralized model effectively demonstrated itself in battles in the eastern and southern directions in 2022-2025, when units of the Armed Forces and the National Guard operated in disjointed areas, often isolated from the main forces. Platoon commanders independently made decisions on maneuver, choice of positions, organization of observation and interaction with neighboring units.
The results of the analysis of combat experience show that the key conditions for successful decentralization are:
- high-quality professional training of junior commanders;
- trust between levels of management;
- the presence of clear standard operating procedures (SOP);
- organization of continuous information exchange.
At the same time, it should be noted that decentralized management requires a change in approaches to personnel training. The traditional system, oriented towards a rigid hierarchy, does not contribute to the development of initiative and creativity. Therefore, in the training programs of platoon and company commanders, it is advisable to strengthen the role of tactical games, command and staff training and simulations, which develop the ability to act independently in difficult conditions.
Decentralized management in the military sphere involves the transfer of authority and decision-making to lower levels, which increases the flexibility and efficiency of the army. In Ukraine, as an example of such a system, the Delta hardware and software complex is used, which combines data from various sources to create a single battle map available to the command and units.