Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyi spoke about strengthening mobilization in Ukraine
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted that without mobilization he will not be able to create new reserves and brigades to confront the Russian Federation, which is increasing the number of ground forces.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi gives an interview in a secret place where his assistants hastily organized a backdrop of camouflage mesh. British journalists note that they were able to get to Syrskyi only after traveling in a closed van. The Commander-in-Chief answered several questions regarding the confrontation with the Russian occupiers, and noted that victory requires mobilization and that all citizens of Ukraine fulfill their constitutional duty.
The Guardian writes about this.
Syrskyi is the new Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine. His unenviable task is to defeat the larger Russian army. After two and a half years of Vladimir Putin’s all-out offensive, he admits that the Russians are far better endowed with resources and people.
Like many Ukrainian soldiers, he rarely sees his family.
"They are suffering without me, so maybe this is a problem for me too. But I know that we will win. I know how to do it. And I am confident that we will do it," says Syrskyi.
According to him, he sleeps little and reads a lot. Especially books on the history of Ukraine to understand past processes.
"We have brave people and a difficult history," he says.
One of Syrskyi’s most urgent tasks is to find new recruits to replace Ukrainian soldiers who have dropped out of the ranks for various reasons.
Those currently in the trenches are exhausted. The patriotic fervor that drove many to volunteer in the spring of 2022 has faded. The government recently lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25 years. Now all those liable for military service must update their data in the TRC. Many did just that. The rest are hiding.
Syrskyi said that without mobilization he would not be able to create the new reserves and brigades needed as Russia increases the number of its own ground forces.
“It is very important for us that all citizens of Ukraine fulfill their constitutional responsibility. I hope that after victory they will be able to tell their children where they were. Where were you when all the citizens of Ukraine were fighting in such fierce battles? That is the question.” , says the general, who even called on Ukrainians living outside their country to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
One of the initiatives is being formed in neighboring Poland. Ukrainians abroad will soon be invited to join the new legion there. The training will take place in Poland itself, strengthening trust between soldiers and officers. Later the legion will move to the front line. Syrskyi attributed this “different approach” to Zelenskyy. One feels that the relationship between them is harmonious, perhaps helped by the fact that the commander has no political ambitions and is less famous than Zaluzhnyi.
Russia began its armed takeover of Ukraine in 2014, when it captured parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and annexed Crimea.
More than a decade later, it appears unlikely that Europe’s biggest war since 1945 will end this year or next, despite Donald Trump’s promise to end the war in a day. Will Ukraine be able to win? And if so, how much time is left until victory?
“I think you have to be very, very brave to say when. We are doing everything to make this happen. There is simply no more important task for us,” Syrskyi sums up before saying goodbye to journalists.
24 July 2024 г., 11:19
