The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, made a high-profile statement regarding the scale of the Russian military operation, confirming that Moscow is conducting a war of exhaustion against our country
According to him, the Russian leadership has redirected its efforts, exhausting the resources and strength of Ukrainian resistance by deploying a combined military grouping numbering up to 640,000 personnel. This information was announced during a videoconference at the level of commanders in the Ukraine–NATO format, held the day before. Here, Syrskyi outlined the current challenges and the enemy’s objectives, notably emphasizing that Russia ignores diplomatic calls and continues fighting on the battlefield, attempting to achieve its previous goals despite significant losses. He stated that the hostilities cover approximately 1,100 kilometers of front — an impressive stretch that spans several regions, making the situation extremely tense. "We expect the achievement of a just peace as soon as possible; however, active combat operations are still ongoing," Syrskyi noted. He emphasized that the course of the war has changed: Russia has shifted to a strategy of attrition, trying to drain Ukraine’s military potential and break the will of our people. He added that Ukrainian defenders are conducting an effective defensive operation, inflicting substantial losses on the enemy and stopping their offensive plans. "Our military demonstrates a high level of combat skill and resilience, which gives grounds to hope for maintaining the defense and further liberating temporarily occupied territories," the commander-in-chief assured. Furthermore, Syrskyi, at the Ukraine–NATO Council meeting, addressed the issue of training Ukrainian soldiers and providing the Armed Forces with the necessary resources. He stressed the need to strengthen individual and collective training of Ukrainian troops in partner countries, and called for an increase in the supply of military equipment, weapons, and logistical support to bolster our defense forces. In the context of the situation in the region and on the front lines, an important fact is that President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed: in response to enemy activity, Ukrainian troops are conducting combat operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia, underscoring that the strategy of defense has a two-way character. This creates additional challenges for the Moscow occupation authorities, who are increasingly suffering human and material losses. Therefore, the current situation at the front remains complex and tense. Russia, employing extensive resources, seeks to exhaust Ukrainian defenses and force them to fold under the pressure of numerical superiority. However, Ukrainian defenders demonstrate resilience and readiness to defend their land. Evidence of this includes not only ongoing battles but also diplomatic efforts by allies aimed at supporting our country in the fight for independence and territorial integrity. Overall, the situation remains critically tense. Domestic and international experts emphasize that only through enhanced military training, increased arms supplies, and new strategic developments can the course of this difficult struggle be changed. In a context where the scale of Russian aggression is estimated at hundreds of thousands of troops, Ukrainian military and political leadership are committed to maintaining defense capacity and actively protecting their borders, making every effort to achieve the long-awaited peace — which, unfortunately, is currently overshadowed by continued fighting and military intensity. Thus, the war of exhaustion that Russia is waging against Ukraine is becoming increasingly evident. It not only drains our resources and causes human losses but also demands even greater resilience, unity, and international support from the Ukrainian people and armed forces. The only path to victory is strengthening defensive capabilities, diplomacy, and above all, the unbreakable will of Ukrainians to defend their land and independence.