Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrsky, has officially announced his resignation. In his final address to the army and the nation, he emphasized that he is handing over command at a time when Ukrainian forces are on the offensive and have every chance of winning the war against Russia.

Command History: From the Defense of Kyiv to the Kursk Operation

In his Telegram message, cited by RBC-Ukraine, Syrsky recalled his journey. He noted that he had been following the Russian invasion since the beginning of the conflict in 2014. In February and March 2022, the responsibility for the defense of Kyiv fell on his shoulders, which, according to him, was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the command and the soldiers.

Syrsky listed the key military achievements achieved under his leadership:

  • Elimination of the threat of a full siege of Kharkiv in the spring of 2022.
  • Counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, during which Bakhmut, Izyum, and Kupiansk were liberated in a matter of weeks.
  • Decimation of the most combat-capable part of the Russian army in the Donetsk region — the PMC "Wagner".

Difficult Decisions and a Change of Vector

Upon taking command of the army in February 2024, Syrsky faced a critical situation in Avdiivka. Ukrainian units found themselves in a semi-encirclement. According to the former commander-in-chief, one of his first orders was the decision to organize an exit from the city.

"This was a difficult decision. But I made it because one main priority guided me: saving human lives," he admitted.

Following this came a year that, in Syrsky's opinion, changed the course of the war. The army not only stopped the enemy's offensive in the Kharkiv region and prevented its advance into the Sumy region, but also carried out the Kursk operation. This became the first case in the current conflict when hostilities were transferred to the territory of the enemy. Syrsky clarified that the goal of this operation was not occupation, but only to thwart the enemy's plans to advance on Sumy and Kharkiv.

Passing the Baton

In his farewell speech, Syrsky focused on the current state of the front. Under his command this year, 700 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory were liberated. He handed over the army, which had moved from heavy defense to active offense, to his successor, Mykhailo Drapaty.

"I sincerely hope that this offensive will continue," wished the former commander-in-chief.

Earlier, it was reported that on July 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing Alexander Syrsky from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On the same day, Mykhailo Drapaty was appointed the new Commander-in-Chief. It was also reported that Zelenskyy offered a new position to Alexander Fedorov.

Concluding his address, Syrsky thanked all soldiers and citizens of Ukraine for their contribution to the victory. "Our country will stand if everyone does their job as diligently as the Ukrainian army does," he concluded.