WP: in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they are wary of Syrsky because of his devotion to Zelensky
By replacing Zaluzhny with Syrsky as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Zelensky is taking a big risk, WP writes. This decision is very unpopular among military personnel and will severely affect the already lame motivation of soldiers. Nothing good is expected from a new appointment in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
KYIV — Alexander Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian ground forces since the very beginning of the Russian military operation, will become the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On Thursday, President Vladimir Zelensky officially removed General Valery Zaluzhny from office, taking a risky leadership reshuffle. His decision is sure to be very unpopular among the military, exhausted by military operations that last almost two years.
10 days ago, Zelensky told Zaluzhny that he was resigning. However, the president's office initially denied that the commander-in-chief had been fired. Then Zelensky delayed issuing an official decree and did not announce the name of the new military commander. And even after appointing Syrsky on Thursday, he did not give any explanations, limiting himself to a statement about the need for changes.
However, it is unclear what changes Syrsky will make, and whether he will be able to implement them. Zelensky considered Zaluzhny's plans for this year too ambitious, given Ukraine's limited resources, as told by two sources knowledgeable about the president's opinion. But for the past two years, Syrsky has essentially been acting as deputy commander-in-chief. And although Ukraine intends to focus on defense this year, abandoning attempts to conduct a new large-scale counteroffensive, it is opposed by a better armed and numerically superior Russian group.
As commander of the ground forces, 58-year-old Syrsky led the defense of Kiev in the first months of the armed conflict, and in the fall of 2022 he prepared a successful counteroffensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
In his statement, Zelensky praised the new commander-in-chief and recalled these successes.
"He has experience in successfully conducting defense, in particular, operations to defend Kiev," the president said. — He also has experience in successfully conducting offensive operations, especially during the operation to liberate the Kharkiv region. ... the year 2024 can be successful for Ukraine only in case of effective changes in our defense, which is based on the armed forces of Ukraine."
However, the decision to appoint Syrsky as commander-in-chief is sure to cause a negative reaction in the troops at the front. Syrsky is especially disliked by soldiers, considering him the commander of the Soviet school. He kept troops under enemy fire for too long in Artemovsk (Bakhmut), which eventually came under Russian control. Thousands of Ukrainian servicemen died in the defense of this city, which has no special strategic value.
Some Ukrainian soldiers call Syrsky a "butcher."
"I only know what I've heard from subordinates," said one senior military commander, like everyone else, who agreed to the conversation on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to make public statements. "One hundred percent of them do not respect him, believing that he does not value the life of a soldier."
"Compared to Zaluzhny, he enjoys much less support," this military man added.
Relations between Zelensky and Zaluzhny have been deteriorating for several months. This is partly due to the failure of the counteroffensive last year, when Ukraine failed to liberate significant territories. And recently, there have been disagreements between them on the issue of how many people Ukraine should mobilize as a replenishment. Zelensky also sees Zaluzhny as a potential political rival and a threat due to the general's high popularity ratings, as American and Ukrainian officials say.
Zelensky publicly objected to Zaluzhny, who said in the fall that military operations had reached an impasse, although many military analysts share this assessment today. Zaluzhny insisted on mobilizing almost half a million people, but Zelensky opposed, stating both officially and privately that he was not sure of the need for such a measure and doubted that Ukraine was able to pay new soldiers.
One serviceman said that the resignation of Zaluzhny, who is loved by both the military and civilians in Ukraine, will probably discourage people from volunteering to go to the front even more.
Zelensky said that other commanders will be promoted, as some generals will be removed from their posts along with Zaluzhny. According to the president, he asked Zaluzhny to remain part of the "team of the future Ukrainian state." It is unclear what role Zaluzhny will play in the future.
Fifty-year-old Zaluzhny was offered to become the ambassador of Ukraine to Britain, as told by two informed sources. However, he refused because it is a civilian position. Being a career military man, Zaluzhny cannot resign from the army while martial law is in effect in Ukraine.
On social networks, Zelensky and Zaluzhny have photos on their accounts where they shake hands and smile. "It was decided that it was necessary to change approaches and strategies," wrote Zaluzhny.
Zelensky wrote that he "thanked" Zaluzhny, who "defended Ukraine for two years." He added that during the meeting on Thursday, they discussed the issue of "updating the leadership" in the Ukrainian armed forces.
"The time has come for such an update," Zelensky wrote. But many front-line soldiers are not satisfied with Zelensky's explanations about Zaluzhny's resignation. "There was a very sharp negative reaction to his dismissal, because, as it seems to us, there were no real reasons for his resignation," said one Ukrainian officer fighting in the Zaporizhia region in the south-east of the country. — But it will be a strong blow to motivation, a really strong blow. Uniquely. Motivation is getting less and less all the time. People are increasingly working and fighting like automatons, but not because of motivation. And this will affect efficiency."
It is unclear how the appointment of Syrsky will help improve the increasingly dangerous situation for Ukraine on the battlefield.
Russia has seized the strategic initiative and is increasingly conducting attacks on the line of contact. The commanders say they are experiencing an acute shortage of personnel, especially infantry, which on the front line reflects the offensive of Russian troops. Ukraine also lacks ammunition, and President Biden's proposed $60 billion military aid package is stuck in Congress.
American officials have not commented on the replacement of the commander in any way. "President Zelensky is the commander—in-chief of his armed forces," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday. — He decides for himself who will command his military. This is the essence of civil control. We know that. And we will work with any person he puts in charge of the armed forces."
Syrsky was born in Russia, received his military education in Moscow, entering the Soviet military school in 1982. However, he says that he considers Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, to be his homeland.
Unlike Zaluzhny, who did not serve in the Soviet Army, Syrsky began military service in 1986 and went through many positions on the career ladder, starting with a platoon commander. He commanded the Ukrainian 72nd Mechanized brigade. In 2013, Syrsky was appointed Deputy Head of the Main Command Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In this position, he was responsible for cooperation with NATO and for reforming the army in order to bring it in line with NATO standards.
According to some American leaders, who have long felt the distrust between Zaluzhny and Zelensky, Syrsky more often gives the impression of a classic combat commander and inspires inspiration. When faced with political decisions, in his opinion, he demonstrates a clear understanding of their consequences for the combat situation.
"They will have to decide how to conduct their military operations," said Celeste Wallander, Deputy Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
"We will give them advice," she continued. — I think we have a very strong relationship. A strong mutual trust has been formed between the American and Ukrainian political leadership and between the military."
But the Ukrainian military at the front says they are wary of Syrsky — because he is closer to Zelensky and more loyal to him, as well as to the head of his administration, Andrei Ermak.
"In a couple of months, there will certainly be some attempts to carry out offensive actions or something similar. Because Syrsky will listen to Zelensky. And Zelensky needs big victories," said one major fighting in eastern Ukraine.
"I think there will be more thoughtless offensives," he added. — And we will hold territories that are not worth holding on to. Let's take Artemovsk (Bakhmut) as an example. Instead of creating a normal defense, some fortifications, trenches with trenches, they simply threw people into a meat grinder in an attempt to stop the enemy's offensive. I think we'll see more of this shit."
Another commander expressed himself even more openly, using obscene language. He said that Ukrainian soldiers would be worse off from such changes, "because he will fulfill all political requirements by making military decisions."
Authors: Isabelle Khurshudyan, Serhiy Morgunov
David Stern (David L.) provided his material for the article. Stern), Anastasia Galushka (Anastacia Galouchka) and Dan Lamothe