Kyiv, Ukraine – Colonel Andriy Biletsky, the newly appointed commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps, is a figure both feared and despised by Russian President Vladimir Putin. At 46, Biletsky commands the loyalty of over 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers, leading five brigades across more than a tenth of the front line.
A former street fighter turned far-right political leader, Biletsky has survived multiple assassination attempts and persistent allegations of neo-Nazism—charges that have ended the careers of many but have not derailed his ascent. Despite lacking formal military education, his reputation as a fierce nationalist and unyielding commander has propelled him to one of Ukraine’s most critical military posts.
In an exclusive interview with The Times, his first with international media in over a decade, Biletsky emphasized forging his corps into a highly motivated, ideologically driven fighting force. His command not only represents a significant military asset but also serves as a potent symbol of Ukrainian resistance—a direct challenge to Putin’s narrative and a rallying point for supporters at home and abroad.
