Ukraine Stabilises Front Line and Breaks Russian Offensive Ability in Current Wars in the World, Ex-Commander Tells BBC
Ukraine has stabilised the front line and broken Russia's offensive ability by inflicting far higher casualties in current wars in the world, according to former commander-in-chief Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi in his first interview since being removed from his post. [1]
Former Ukrainian commander assesses battlefield situation
Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Moscow's overall losses are six times higher than Ukraine's and up to 11 times higher when counting only the dead. [1] UK estimates put Russian deaths at around 500,000 since 2022 while a US think-tank estimates Ukrainian deaths at up to 150,000 by June 2026. [1] In the first six months of 2026 Russia seized only 61 sq km, an indication the front has stabilised. [1] The Institute for the Study of War reported that in September 2026 Moscow lost more territory than it gained. [1] Syrskyi cited technological advances, a strategy of attacking weak points while containing advances elsewhere, and the casualty differential as reasons for the current stalemate. [1] He said this difference in death toll as well as technological advances and a strategy of attacking weak points in Russia's lines while containing their advances in other parts accounts for the current stalemate at the front. [1] In the first six months of 2026 Russia managed overall to seize 61 sq km. [1] The Institute for Study of War has also confirmed this trend with one of its recent reports stating that in September 2026 Moscow lost more territory than it took. [1]
Disagreements leading to leadership change
USFK chief says North Korea gains troop deployment experience via Ukraine war. — Source: yonhap
Syrskyi was dismissed this summer after public disagreements with then-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov over procurement priorities. [1] He defended his record noting that drone use reached unprecedented levels under his command and now accounts for 80% of Russian losses. [1] Syrskyi was appointed Ukraine's commander-in-chief in 2024. [1] He had previously won praise for defending Kyiv at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and for leading the successful counteroffensive east of Kharkiv in the autumn of that year. [1] President Volodymyr Zelensky fired Syrskyi this summer amid a major disagreement with then-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov. [1] Fedorov had said that instead of adapting to the realities of the changing war the army under Syrskyi had blocked his initiatives. [1] Zelensky initially fired Fedorov as tensions burst into the open between the two men but mass street protests then forced the president to also fire Syrskyi replacing him with Maj Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi 43. [1] Syrskyi told the BBC that he had disagreements with Fedorov because the latter didn't take into consideration the interests of the army when procuring weapons and supplies. [1] Fedorov had created an imbalance in supplies Syrskyi said. [1] He had prioritised drones while overlooking key front-line kit such as unmanned ground vehicles pick-up trucks and motorbikes. [1] Even with drones Syrskyi said there were shortages as the army got only half of what they needed. [1] It was during his time the use of drones reached this new unprecedented level including deep strikes more than 2,000km behind enemy lines he said. [1] Ukraine was the first country to create the Unmanned Systems Forces as a separate branch of armed forces under his command. [1] Now he said drones account for 80% of Russia's losses. [1]
Criticism of withdrawals and force ratios
Syrskyi acknowledged chaotic withdrawals and high-loss situations while explaining the severe Russian advantages in air power artillery and manpower that he says Ukraine faces. [1] Under his military leadership Ukrainian troops undertook chaotic withdrawals from the eastern cities of Avdiivka and Vuhledar and from around Pokrovsk. [1] Soldiers who spoke to the BBC in the past complained that they were ordered to remain at their positions at any costs. [1] By the time they were told to pull back it was often too late as they were almost surrounded by Russian troops. [1] Syrskyi does not deny that such situations occur on the front line. [1] But he told the BBC that Ukraine was fighting against a far more powerful army. [1] In 2025 the ratio of jets and bombs was 18 to one in Moscow's favour he said. [1] In the same year Russia had two-and-a-half times more artillery pieces and shells than Ukraine. [1] And with four million militarily trained men who they can mobilise Russian forces can create chances to push through he argued. [1]
Kursk incursion and European warnings
Former Ukrainian commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi speaks in interview after leaving his post. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Syrskyi's justification for the 2024 Kursk operation was a necessary diversion and he called for European allies to prepare for possible wider Russian ambitions. [1] One of Syrskyi's most famous operations was an incursion into Russia's Kursk region that started in August 2024. [1] It ended with a dramatic retreat the following spring which some soldiers described as catastrophic. [1] Syrskyi however insisted that the Kursk operation was a necessity. [1] In the summer 2024 Russian forces were pushing along all main directions on the front line with up to six times more troops than we had he explained. [1] The Kursk incursion disrupted Russia's offensive and forced Moscow to redirect troops giving Ukraine a respite and a chance for its stretched brigades in the east and south to recover Syrskyi said. [1] He also had strong words for European allies who doubt that Russia may have territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine. [1] He advised European partners to start preparing for the war now and drop all illusions that it will not come. [1] He also said he believed Ukraine's war was going to become even more technological. [1] There will be more robots automated systems and artificial intelligence. [1] Even ordinary weapons now get an AI-based control system to enhance their capabilities he said. [1] Such technologies can give a new life to conventional weapons like tanks. [1] Both Russia and Ukraine were now racing to develop active systems of defence to protect armoured vehicles Syrskyi said. [1] But he insisted that the human role will remain definitive on the battlefield because people will need to control those systems. [1]
North Korean gains from supporting Russia
USFK commander Gen Xavier Brunson said North Korea is gaining experience in long-distance troop deployment logistics and supply lines through its support for Russia in Ukraine. [2] North Korea is gaining experience in deploying troops and sustaining military operations over long distances through its involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine the commander of U.S. Forces Korea said. [2] U.S. Gen. Xavier Brunson made the remarks during a dialogue hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington highlighting the military benefits Pyongyang has gained from deploying troops and supplying weapons to support Moscow in the war. [2] They've learned how to go from North Korea to find themselves in Russia to move men weapons and equipment there as well to build supply lines that would allow them to support the Russian war effort Brunson said when asked about the experiences Pyongyang gained through its participation in the conflict. [2] Brunson stressed that North Korea's military has gained experience in strategic movement mobilization and logistics allowing it to develop capabilities that extend beyond tactical lessons learned on the battlefield. [2] The commander warned that North Korea's military is becoming increasingly capable of incorporating battlefield experience into its forces posing new challenges for South Korea and the United States in maintaining deterrence on the Korean Peninsula. [2] He also highlighted the military equipment North Korea has received from Russia in return for supporting its war effort including electronic warfare jammers. [2] In June 2024 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty under which North Korea has deployed troops and provided conventional weapons to support Russia's war with Ukraine. [2]
Trump comments on peace efforts and intelligence sharing
President Trump stated that both Putin and Zelenskyy want to end the war but do not know how and confirmed the US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine while working with both sides to reach a settlement. [3] [4] US President Donald Trump has said he believes Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy want to end the war but do not know how to achieve this. [3] Trump was asked what gives him such confidence that Putin wants the war to end more than Zelenskyy. [3] The US president replied Only in dealing. That's what I've done my whole life is deals. I think Putin wants it probably… I think they both want it to end. There's a lot of hatred there between the two of them. They both want it to end. They don't know how to get there. We're going to get them there Trump added. [3] On 10 October Trump said that during a phone call Putin expressed a desire to see a settlement to end the war in Ukraine. [3] On 9 October Trump said he had spoken to Putin and made an agreement with him that Russia will supply diesel to US and global markets. [3] Presidenten sier han jobber med både Ukraina og Russland for å få slutt på krigen. [4] Donald Trump i snakk med pressen utenfor Det hvite hus tirsdag. [4] Tirsdag bekrefter USAs president Donald Trump overfor journalister at amerikanerne fortsatt deler etterretningsinformasjon med Ukraina ifølge Reuters. [4] Vi hjelper dem og vi deler etterretning sa Trump til pressen ifølge nyhetsbyrået. [4] Presidenten understreket samtidig at han ønsker en slutt på krigen. [4] Vi vil at krigen skal ta slutt så vi jobber med dem og Russland for å få slutt på krigen sa Trump videre. [4] Uttalelsen kommer etter at Financial Times i helgen meldte at USA har truet med å stanse etterretningsdelingen med Ukraina. [4]
What to watch next: North Korea's military is becoming increasingly capable of incorporating battlefield experience into its forces posing new challenges for South Korea and the United States in maintaining deterrence on the Korean Peninsula while Trump works with both sides to reach a settlement. [2] [4]
