The Armed Forces of Ukraine have a new Commander-in-Chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who held this position since July 27, 2021, was dismissed today, February 8.
"Starting today, a new management team takes over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I have appointed Colonel-General Syrskii as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.
Read more: Ukraine’s Supreme General Valerii Zaluzhnyi and His Role in the Kharkiv Counteroffensive – as Viewed by TIME
During his tenure as the Commander-in-Chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was responsible not only for the plan to repel a full-scale russian invasion, but also directly led the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the most challenging period when it became necessary to implement this plan. Under his leadership, the entire path of the Ukrainian military unfolded from the early days of the largest war in Europe since World War II until February 8, 2024.
The President of Ukraine justified the decision to dismiss the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as follows: "I aim for a unified vision of the war among our warriors in Robotyne or Avdiivka, as well as within the General Staff and the Staff."
The new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is Oleksandr Syrskii, who had been leading the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since August 5, 2019.
He directly commanded the troops near Kyiv at the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion and is also the commander of the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group of Forces, responsible for the eastern sector of the front line.
"He has successful experience in defense, having led the Kyiv Defensive Operation. Additionally, he has successful experience in offense, particularly in the Kharkiv Liberation Operation," Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The President also emphasized that the success of Ukraine in 2024 is possible only "with effective changes in the foundation of our defense" - the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
What is known about Colonel-General Syrskii:
Oleksandr Stanislavovych Syrskii was born on July 26, 1965. Holding the rank of Colonel-General, he has been the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces from August 5, 2019 to February 8, 2024.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, colonel general Oleksandr Syrskii commanded the defense of Kyiv. In September 2022, he commanded the Kharkiv counteroffensive. Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskii also was Commander of the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Grouping acting on the East of Ukraine till the appointnent.
He received his first military education during the Soviet period - in 1982 he graduated from the Moscow Military Command School. Then he studied at the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (operational-tactical level) and the National University of Defense (operational-strategic level). Graduated from educational institutions with honors;
- headed the ATO headquarters since the beginning of the military conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014. He was one of the commanders during the battles near Debaltseve, in Vugleghirsk, the villages of Ridkodub and Logvyno;
- from May to August 2019, he was the commander of the Joint Forces Operation;
- During the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine, he commanded the festive parade on Khreshchatyk;
- As of 2013, he was the First Deputy Chief of the Main Command Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and was involved in the then processes of cooperation with NATO. In November 2013, Syrskii, on behalf of the Ministry of Defense, discussed changes to the Ukrainian army in accordance with NATO standards at NATO headquarters.
- In addition to the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the "Golden Star" order for the defense of Kyiv, the general has a number of other awards. Among them, in particular:
– Cross of Combat Merit (July 27, 2022) – for outstanding personal merits in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, loyalty to the military oath;
– Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, 1st class (December 11, 2022) – for personal courage and selfless actions shown in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath;
– Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky 2nd class (March 18, 2022) – for personal courage and selfless actions shown in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath;
– Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the 3rd class (March 14, 2015) - for personal courage and high professionalism shown in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Analysts of The Economist, commenting on General Syrskii's command style, note the principles of decentralized command, detailed planning, and the use of elements of deception and surprise.
Follows the principles of decentralized management, which he mastered during his stay in Brussels in 2013, where he repeatedly met with NATO representatives and discussed ways to modernize the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Oleksandr Syrskii attaches great importance to troop morale, reads messages from hundreds of soldiers daily and regularly visits troops at the frontline.
As Defense Express reported, earlier The Washington Post Published a Lengthy Article About the Organization of Kyiv’s Defense in russian-Ukrainian War.
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