Syrskyi after resignation: 743 km² liberated, Kursk Operation and Unmanned Systems Forces

The former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, published on social media his first public statement after handing over the post to the new head of the Armed Forces, summarizing his period of command, the main combat operations and the changes implemented in the military.

Since 2014, well aware of the cost of every liberated piece of Ukrainian land.

Syrskyi recalled his direct leadership of the defense of Kyiv in February–March 2022, after which, he said, it was possible to thwart the threat of encirclement of the capital and Kharkiv.

Among the defining episodes he noted the offensive in the Kharkiv region with the liberation of Balakliia, Izium and Kupiansk, as well as the battles on the Donetsk front, where, he claimed, Ukrainian forces destroyed the most combat-capable part of the Russian grouping — the Wagner private military company (PMC).

He separately stopped on the period when he led the Armed Forces in February 2024 during the difficult defense of Avdiivka. One of the first decisions was an organized withdrawal of units from the city, which he explained as necessary to preserve the lives of service members.

Further, according to Syrskyi, Ukrainian troops stopped the advance of Russian forces in the Kharkiv region, prevented the expansion of the offensive in the Sumy region and carried out the Kursk operation. He emphasized that its goal was not the occupation of Russian territory, but to disrupt preparations for an enemy offensive, to divert enemy forces and to replenish the exchange pool for the return of Ukrainian prisoners.

Syrskyi also highlighted structural innovations: Ukraine became the first country in the world to create a separate service branch — the Unmanned Systems Forces — and new units using interceptor drones were formed within air defense.

According to him, at the same time they were building a rear defense system, transitioning to a corps-based command structure and bringing combat officers with direct front-line operational experience into leadership roles.

Speaking about the results, Syrskyi stated that during 2026 under his command 743 square kilometers of territory were liberated, and he is handing over to his successor an army capable not only of holding defense but also of conducting offensive operations.

“My work is war. Positions change, but this principle does not. Whatever status I hold, I will serve Ukraine until Victory. For a long time they tried to impose on us that Ukrainians are not capable of fighting. We have proven that this is not true. Ukraine is defended by a heroic people. Our country will stand if everyone does their job as tenaciously as the Ukrainian military does,” said Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Earlier we wrote:

• Russia intensifies its offensive in the south, the Armed Forces hold the lines: Syrskyi strengthens the front with drones and ammunition
• In February, Ukraine recaptured more territory than Russia captured
• Russia moved nearly 40,000 soldiers from Donbas to near Kursk, – FT
• Ukrainian troops withdrew from Avdiivka, – Syrskyi
• The life and health of a serviceman – the army’s main value, – the first statement of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyi