Combined force of 640,000: Commander-in-Chief reveals Russia's tactics in war against Ukraine
Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
In its war against Ukraine, Russia is using a force of up to 640,000 troops. Moscow has no intention of halting combat operations despite various calls for diplomacy, according to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Commander-in-Chief reported that he addressed the NATO-Ukraine Council in military format via video conference at the level of commanders-in-chief, where he briefly outlined the operational situation along various sectors.
According to Syrskyi, although Ukraine continues to hope for a just peace, active combat is currently ongoing along approximately 1,100 kilometers of the front line.
"Despite diplomatic calls, Russia has not abandoned its initial goals on the battlefield. Moscow has turned its aggression against Ukraine into a war of attrition and is using a combined force of up to 640,000 troops," the General said.
At the same time, Syrskyi emphasized that Ukrainian forces continue to carry out an effective defensive operation, inflicting significant losses on Russian forces.
On needs of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and support to counter Russia's aggression
During his address, the Commander-in-Chief also raised the issue of individual and collective training for Ukrainian troops in partner states, as well as the Ukrainian Defense Forces' needs for military equipment, weapons, and logistics.
Syrskyi expressed gratitude to the Alliance for the work of the NATO Security Assistance and Support for Ukraine mission (NSATU).
He also highlighted the importance of continuing to implement projects under the NATO-Ukraine Interoperability Roadmap and the creation of an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Architecture.
Syrskyi underscored that only a firm, unified stance by the international community can compel the aggressor to stop the war.
"The principled and united position of our partners is critically important for achieving a just and lasting peace," the General said.
He added that he received assurances from Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, that NATO's support for Ukraine would remain unwavering.
Frontline update
According to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, as of the afternoon of May 15, the situation remains most intense in the Pokrovsk direction, where Russian forces continue to apply pressure.
On May 6, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that the Defense Forces had stabilized the situation in the Pokrovsk area of Donetsk region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on May 15 that Russian troops have been on the offensive across the entire front line for several months, with the most concentrated efforts currently in the Sumy region.
Spokesperson for the Kharkiv operational-tactical group, Pavlo Shamshyn, noted that despite Russia's peaceful rhetoric, it has already begun its summer offensive. Ukraine's Defense Forces have warned that now is not the time to believe in illusions.
Additionally, representatives of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate recently told the Financial Times that Russia is preparing for a large-scale offensive rather than showing any real willingness for peace talks.
