Ukraine must maximize its battlefield advantages - Ukraine’s top commander

He stressed the importance of leveraging from Ukraine’s unique strengths when asked about launching offensive operations despite Russia’s superiority in manpower and aviation.

"What do we need to do? We need to implement what gives us the advantage," he explained.

"You know that we were the first in the world to create drone forces. Right now, we are scaling up and expanding our drone capabilities. We are actively developing robotic platforms, including combat-ready ground platforms."

Syrskyi also emphasized that "winning a war through defense alone is impossible."

"No matter how long you defend, you will eventually be forced to retreat," he said.

"And right now, we have to hold the line and concentrate our forces along the entire front."

Situation on the Donetsk front

• Jan. 1: DeepState reported a chaotic tactical situation in Novovasylivka near Pokrovsk, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces are present in nearly every part of the village.
• Jan. 2: Viktor Trehubov, Khortytsia operational-strategic group spokesperson, assured that Ukrainian forces maintain control over nearly all of Chasiv Yar.
• Jan. 3: DeepState reported Russian advances in five settlements, confirming the occupation of Dachen’ske, Nova Pratsia, and Vovkove in Donetsk Oblast.
• Jan. 6: Russian forces gained ground in Toretsk, Zelenе, and Petropavlivka, as well as near Vozdvyzhenka, Baranivka, and Pishchane.
• Jan. 8: The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Russian forces had advanced into the northwestern part of Toretsk, reaching the city’s administrative border after weeks of intensified attacks.
• Jan. 11: DeepState claimed that Russian forces had fully occupied Kurakhove, though Trehubov countered that Ukrainian troops were still holding positions inside the city, making it too early to declare full Russian control.