“We will do everything to reach borders of 1991”, -Ukraine’s commander-in-chief

Source: Guardian

Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Olesksandr Syrskyi gave a rare interview to ‘Guardian’ where he discussed the frontline situation, mobilization efforts, and revealed the ultimate goal of the Ukrainian army.

Syrskyi, who has been in his role since February 2024, admitted that Ukraine is dealing with the big and still powerful enemy. “Russia still has far superior resources,” he said.  “They have more of everything: tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, soldiers. Their original 100,000-strong invasion force has grown to 520,000.”

According to Ukraine’s estimates, the number of Russian tanks has doubled from 1,700 to 3,500, artillery systems have tripled, and armored personnel carriers have nearly doubled from 4,500 to 8,900.

“The enemy has a significant advantage in force and resources,” Syrskyi said. “Therefore, for us, the issue of supply, the issue of quality, is really at the forefront.”

Ukraine has to spread its forces after Russian renewed its offensive in Kharkiv, but the commander-in-chief is still optimistic.

“Could Russia’s advance be halted? “Yes, of course. First of all, it depends on our brave soldiers, our officers.”

The general also praised the resilience and heroism of Ukrainian units, who are facing larger Russian formations.. “Russian casualties are three times higher than ours, and in some areas, even more,” Syrskyi explained.

Russia’s gains are “tactical” and prove costly for its army, said Syrsky, adding they are  “three times” higher than Ukraine’s, and “even more” in certain directions whereas Ukraine follows a different approach: “It’s very important for us to save the lives of our soldiers. We don’t defend ruins to the death”.

Syrskyi is positive that arrival of F-16 fighter jets will boost Ukraine’s air defenses. “I know when the F-16s will arrive, but unfortunately, I cannot disclose that information,” he said adding that they wouldn’t  be deployed closer than 40 kilometers from the front line as they could be obviously hunted by Russian forces.

Ukraine continues to make the most of combat drones that allow operations within Russia.

“We fight not by quantity but quality,” he said, adding that drones played “as big a role as artillery”.

Syrskiy admitted the Kerch road and rail crossing remains one of the key targets in Crimea, as Ukraine is set to ‘deoccupy’ the occupied peninsula. “We will do everything possible to return to the internationally recognized borders of 1991. We must win… to liberate our citizens suffering in occupied territories,” he stressed.

The general also used the interview as a chance to appeal to conscience of the Ukrainian men who avoided the draft by moving to another countries.  “It is very important for all Ukrainian citizens to fulfill their constitutional obligations,” he said. “I hope that after the victory, they will be able to tell their children where they were. Where were you when all Ukrainian citizens were fighting in such fierce battles? That is the question.”