Syrskyi gives interview to ZDF: Main statements
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Photo: Getty Images)
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, gave an interview to the German television channel ZDF. He talked about a new stage of the war, Ukraine's goals, as well as the casualty ratio on the front line.
RBC-Ukraine provides the main statements of Syrskyi in the interview with the German television channel ZDF.
The full interview of Syrskyi for the German television channel ZDF:
New stage of the war
"We have transitioned from offensive actions to conducting a defensive operation. The goal of our operation is to exhaust the enemy, inflict maximum losses on them, using our fortifications, our technical advantages, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and maintaining prepared defense lines," Syrskyi says.
At the same time, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, technological progress, particularly the use of drones, forces the war to enter a new stage.
"This war emphasizes the importance of technological progress in the armed forces and the progress of armed combat itself. We already see, and for us, it's not news, the use of ground-based robotic platforms. Modules that are remotely controlled, which make it possible to save the lives of military personnel. Thus, the war is entering a new stage," he adds.
Ukraine's goal in the war with Russia
Ukraine does not change its goal of reaching its borders. According to the Chief of the Armed Forces, Ukrainians have no other choice.
"Everything is based on the fact that we must end the war by reaching our borders. Other options are not considered because we simply have no other way out. This is, firstly," Syrskyi says.
However, according to him, society needs to unite around the common cause of victory, and it is also necessary to increase domestic arms production due to problems with external assistance.
"Everyone needs to make an effort. If there is no external assistance, we need to establish production here in Ukraine. This process has been launched, but production needs to be increased. We need to rely on our own strength. It is also necessary to improve tactics. The main value is the life of our soldier," the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine explains.
Losses of Russia and Ukraine
According to Syrskyi, the Ukrainian army cannot afford to treat its soldiers like Russian commanders, who send troops into meat grinder tactics.
"We cannot afford to treat our soldiers like Russian commanders, who use tactics of human waves attacks. I'd rather leave a position, but I won't allow the loss of personnel. For them, the lives of soldiers have no value. And we see this, their losses exceed ours by 7-8 times according to the latest data," he notes.
Duration of war with Russia
At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Syrskyi felt that the war would not have clear time frames.
"When the aggression started, I felt like I was going into some abyss with no clear time frames. At that moment, it was unclear when it would end, but I understood that it would be long and difficult," Syrskyi recounts.
Changes in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Last week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began to renew the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Instead of Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Oleksandr Syrskyi was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Anatolii Barhylevych took over as the Chief of the General Staff instead of Serhii Shaptala.
Later, the head of state also appointed deputies of the new Chief of the General Staff and the Chief of the General Staff, and also carried out personnel changes among the commanders of the troops.
