Syrskyi faces complex tasks in leading Ukrainian forces — General Mick Ryan

“I see that there are several issues that Syrskyi will need to address this year. First and foremost, it is personnel management in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which requires further improvement. Training — both for individuals and units at the company, battalion, and brigade levels — should continue to improve and become better,” Ryan said.

The general also noted that Syrskyi will face significant challenges on the battlefield due to new technologies, including drones, digital command and control, the use of a wide network of systems that make the battlefield more transparent, and solutions for these problems have not yet been developed.

“I think General Syrskyi will need to address such issues as how to conceal forces, how to camouflage troops without exposing them to attacks, how to break through Russian minefields and obstacles safely for the troops to penetrate Russian positions,” he added.

Ryan summed up that Syrskyi will face personnel, technological, and combat challenges, as well as the task of rebuilding the Armed Forces after two very tense years while simultaneously defending Ukraine.

“So, he faces the task of transforming the Ukrainian Armed Forces while employing these armed forces. These are very complex and contradictory tasks that the Commander-in-Chief will have to deal with,” noted the Australian general.

On Feb. 8, Zelenskyy, by his decree, dismissed Valerii Zaluzhnyi from the post of Commander-in-Chief, which he held for over 2.5 years, appointing Syrskyi, the commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in his place.

On Feb. 9, Syrskyi made his first statement as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, listing the tasks ahead of him:

• Clear and detailed planning of actions by all military management bodies, taking into account the needs of the front in modern weapons, “the fastest and most rational” distribution of everything necessary for combat units;

• Availability of information on all the needs of the front and the situation in each area: “The qualification of the personnel of the military management bodies is crucial for the development and successful implementation of plans and projects,” emphasized the Commander-in-Chief.

• Maintaining a balance between performing combat tasks and restoring units and subunits with an emphasis on strengthening training and preparation;

• Introduction of new technical solutions, scaling the use of unmanned systems, and electronic warfare means.

On Feb. 13, Syrskyi announced that Ukraine had transitioned from offensive actions to defense aimed at wearing out the Russian army, and on Feb. 17, Ukrainian troops left Avdiivka.

He said that measures are currently being taken to stabilize the situation and maintain the positions held, adding that “the lives of servicemen are the highest value. We will still reclaim Avdiivka.”