War in Ukraine: Oleksandr Syrskyi, a general full of victories, is the new head of Zelenskyj’s army

Oleksandr Syrskyithe man appointed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj on Thursday lead the armed forces of the country had a key role in some of Ukraine’s greatest victories in the war with Russia, including leadership the successful defense of the capital in the first days of the invasion.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who had been commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, takes over the main position difficult moment. Now that the war is about to enter its third year, morale is lowThe army faces a shortage of ammunition and personnel and Kiev struggles to maintain Western support.

Syrskyi’s choice as commander-in-chief is therefore no surprise few Ukrainian military personnel have the experience and the skills needed to take over from his popular predecessor, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Syrskyi’s successes on the battlefield have earned him the support of his soldiers, who have been fighting tough battles for two years.

The defense of Kiev

Syrskyi, 58, is credited with initially organizing the defense of Kiev in February 2022, when many in Ukraine were still They dismissed Western warnings that a Russian attack appeared imminent. He later received the Hero of Ukraine award, the country’s highest honor, for his role in repelling Moscow’s advance on the capital.

In September 2022, in Syrskyi He was credited with organizing the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv regionwhich was the most significant Ukrainian victory in the war and allowed Kiev to recover the cities of Kupiansk and Izium from the Russians.

Also led the Bakhmut operation, which was the longest and bloodiest war and which was criticized for the heavy losses suffered by Ukrainian forces. But the tactic of immobilizing Russian forces in that strategically insignificant mining town they also depleted Russian troops and resources, undermining their ability to make major gains elsewhere.

The war enters its most difficult phase

While the trumps become signs of wear on the frontSyrskyi has had to manage the most difficult phase of the war, which will enter its third year at the end of this month.

Shortages of ammunition and fresh personnel threaten to weaken Ukrainian lines as the Russians anticipate a breakthrough. The main objective of Ukrainian forces this winter was to maintain the territory they controlas Congress blocks much-needed U.S. military aid, jeopardizing Kiev’s military planning.

Syrskyi was born in 1965 in the Soviet Union. He attended the Higher Military Command School in Moscow and served in the Soviet Artillery Corps. Observers say his style combines the hierarchical character of Soviet military strategy with NATO’s principles of operational flexibility.

Called an obsessive planner with iron discipline, Syrskyi served as commander of ground operations in eastern Ukraine and played an important role in the 2014 war, when Russia annexed Crimea.