Colonel Khodarenok: Syrsky prepares Ukrainians for the surrender of Avdiivka
In Kiev, they decided to switch from offensive to defensive actions. This was stated by the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Alexander Syrsky, in an interview with the German broadcasting company ZDF. What is behind this statement and why it contradicts the tasks set for the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - in the material of the military observer "Gazeta.En" by Mikhail Khodarenka.
It seems that voicing their plans through foreign media is becoming a tradition of the highest officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The beginning of this was laid by ex-commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny in his interview with the British edition of The Economist.
Before he could really take office, this flag was picked up by the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrsky. In the expert community of Ukraine, it is sometimes considered that such an option is the best way to reach the country's leadership. It is still difficult to say how much this corresponds to reality this time.
But that's what casts doubt on General Syrsky's decision to switch to strategic defense. Back in early December 2023, one of the ex-commanders-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Viktor Muzhenko, called on Ukraine to move to defensive actions. Around the same time, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced Kiev's plans to build defensive structures from Donbass to the western part of the country. At the same time, the head of state also said that Ukraine is entering a new phase of armed conflict with Russia. And this is essentially Zelensky's decision to switch to strategic defense.
Alexander Syrsky
Image source: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
So the statement of the new commander-in-chief Alexander Syrsky of the ZDF broadcasting company can be reformatted in this way: "For those who have not heard before, I repeat once again - the Armed Forces of Ukraine are moving to defense." It should be added to this that General Syrsky cannot make such a decision on his own. The Ukrainian military commander could make such statements only after receiving an operational directive from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, where the tasks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the upcoming campaign are formulated in terms that do not allow double interpretation. And Syrsky (as a subordinate of Zelensky) still somehow has to refer to this document. Otherwise, it is a clear demonstration of disrespect for their Supreme Commander. Like, "I make such decisions on my own, without looking at the president."
Recall that when appointing Alexander Syrsky to the post of Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, adviser to the head of the office of the Ukrainian president Mikhail Podolyak mentioned that the new commander-in-chief should "prevent stagnation along the front line, negatively affecting public sentiment."
But such words somehow do not really agree with the statement of Alexander Syrsky ZDF about the transition to defense. Because in this case, the fighting is conducted, as a rule, on the principle of "not a step back", and this is, in fact, the stagnation of the front line.
In particular, he said, "I'd rather leave some position, but I won't allow the death of personnel." This is not consistent with the decision on the transition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defense, which provides for defending every piece of Ukrainian land to the last drop of blood. At the same time, it is quite possible that this is the preparation of public opinion in Ukraine for the possible surrender of Avdiivka.
But the very principle of abandoning any defensive lines in order to save the lives of personnel is deeply flawed. If you conduct an armed struggle in this way, you will not get enough land. The country's territory can quickly run out.
So the statement of the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Alexander Syrsky, about saving personnel does not apply to operational and strategic terms. This is a slogan, and of a purely political nature. And, apparently, it reflects the contradictions in the military-political leadership of Ukraine.
It is quite possible that the essence of this conflict is quite simple. The political leadership of the state demands "not to leave Avdiivka under any circumstances." The military responds, "with this approach, we will not defend Avdiivka, and we will lose the best parts." The near future will show how the situation around this settlement will develop.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.
Biography of the author:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military columnist for Gazeta.Ru", retired colonel.
He graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976), the Military Air Defense Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile division (1980-1983).
Deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986-1988).
Senior Officer of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988-1992).
Officer of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff (1992-2000).
Graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the Military-Industrial Courier newspaper (2010-2015).
Mikhail Khodarenok