Syrskyi explains creation of Assault Troops to boost Ukraine’s offensive potential

Modern war is a war of technology and drones, and the Ukrainian armed forces are constantly experimenting with formations, structures and methods of combat that deliver the best results, Syrskyi said. For the first time, assault battalions were used in an offensive operation in the Kursk area a year ago: the 33rd and 225th battalions were the first to break through the enemy’s defenses and enter its territory.

“They proved effective in terms of mobile operations, outpacing enemy actions, not so much by frontal assault tactics as by using small assault groups to encircle the enemy from the flanks and strike rear areas. That effectiveness was confirmed by the ratio of enemy losses to ours. The enemy’s losses were many times higher than ours,” Syrskyi said.

He added that the 425th assault battalion also produced excellent results on the Pokrovsk axis. Based on the Kursk experience and that demonstrated effectiveness, assault units have been rolled out across the armed forces: several regiments and a number of independent battalions have now been formed and are operating successfully on various parts of the front.

Syrskyi described the difference between assault forces and airborne-assault troops: airborne-assault units are elite infantry capable of sustained offensive and defensive operations and deep raids; they are typically used on the most important and hottest sectors of the front and are equipped with the most modern hardware. Assault units are rapid-reaction forces whose defining characteristic is mobility; they are not fixed to permanent defensive or offensive sectors and are deployed where the situation is most difficult.

“Assault units are becoming one of the key elements in increasing offensive potential to adapt to the modern challenges of war. They are also equipped with the modern weapons we have in the armed forces. At the same time, they are not assigned to static sectors or classic defensive or offensive lines. They operate where it is hardest,” Syrskyi said.

In offensive operations, assault units typically act as vanguard forces: they overcome the enemy’s first line of defense and open the way for airborne or regular combined-arms brigades and battalions. The popularity of such units is shown by the fact that brigade and corps commanders often request them to reinforce the most active combat sectors — assault troops have proven themselves on the toughest parts of the front.

Syrskyi said casualty rates for assault troops and airborne units in attacks are roughly similar to each other, but significantly lower than the enemy’s losses in the same operations. He stressed that assault and airborne-assault forces should not be conflated because they perform different tasks and have different organizational structures; assault units operate under the direct control of the General Staff and require constant replenishment, systematic training and modern supplies.

At the same time, Syrskyi said, all new equipment and weapons are being introduced simultaneously to both assault and airborne-assault units — neither operates without proper support.

“By the way, the enemy is following our example here as well. They have created a separate command structure for similar assault forces within their own command that conducts operations on our territory,” the commander added.

On Sept. 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of separate assault forces with a “drone component.” The decision has been made and the units will be formally deployed in roughly seven to 10 days; they will be equipped with modern drones and other systems.