Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has made a high-profile statement signaling a shift in tactics regarding active hostilities at the front
In an interview conducted during a closed meeting with journalists (without representatives of "Ukrainska Pravda," according to the information agency "Ukrinform"), Syrskyi emphasized that the Ukrainian army no longer intends to remain in a "deaf defense" stance. Instead of passive observation and protection tactics, Ukrainian defenders aim to combine defensive measures with active offensive operations. The Commander-in-Chief highlighted: "We will no longer just defend because such a strategy actually works against us — it yields no results except for territory and human resource losses. Therefore, our plan is not only to strengthen defensive positions but also to intensify offensive actions, leveraging advantages to strike the enemy on all fronts." According to him, Ukrainian military forces now seek not only to defend but also to actively counterattack, delivering strikes at the enemy's weak points. Another important aspect voiced by the commander is the significant strengthening and development of assault units. He reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have created and are scaling special assault detachments, which began forming during the Kursk operation. According to him, these troops are already operating across all challenging segments of the front, including areas where offensive actions are necessary, as well as where it is crucial to defend strategically important settlements. "We have units and regiments that were formed at the beginning of the Kursk offensive operation, and today they are directly involved in combat. They are fighting in the most intense sections of the front — where the enemy is attempting to entrench itself, and where countermeasures are needed to prevent the enemy's advancement," Syrskyi said. He especially emphasized that Ukrainian forces are effectively resisting the enemy's progress on such sectors as Sumy region, where heavy battles for maintaining control over key settlements continue. Overall, his statements indicate a fundamental change in the strategic approach of the Ukrainian army. It is clear that Ukraine now seeks to shift to an active tactic that will more effectively facilitate the liberation of territories and strengthen positions at the front. This is an important signal to the opponent and to the entire Ukrainian society — our military is ready not only to defend but also to actively impose their will on the enemy, employing modern combat methods and modernizing their units for maximum effectiveness.