Ukrainian General Syrskyi Describes Aims and Goals of Kursk Operation in First-Ever CNN Interview

Ukrainian General Syrskyi Gives Rare Interview to CNN

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi gave an interview to the American TV channel CNN. The Commander-in-Chief discussed the reasons for the operation in the Kursk region, the situation on the hottest front line, and more.

RBC-Ukraine compiled several key statements from Syrskyi's interview with CNN.

About the Kursk operation

According to Syrskyi, the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region has been successful. The Ukrainian command had several reasons for the operation:

• To prevent Russia from using the Kursk region as a platform for a new offensive;

• To divert Russian forces from other parts of the front;

• To prevent Russian shelling of the Ukrainian border;

• To boost the morale of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Syrskyi added that Russia has already deployed tens of thousands of troops to the Kursk region, including some of their best airborne assault forces.

“It reduced the threat of an enemy offensive. We prevented them from acting. We moved the fighting to the enemy’s territory so that (the enemy-ed.) could feel what we feel every day,” he told CNN.

About Pokrovsk

Ukrainian forces have halted the advance of the Russian army in the Pokrovsk direction, Syrskyi stated. This direction is the hottest on the front, with the Russian forces now just a few kilometers from the city.

“Over the last six days, the enemy hasn’t advanced a single meter in the Pokrovsk direction. In other words, our strategy is working,” said the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He also mentioned that there is a noticeable weakening of Russian forces in other regions of Ukraine where battles are ongoing. In particular, artillery shelling and the intensity of assaults have decreased.

Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (RBC Ukraine)

Smart warfare

General Syrskyi noted that Russia has a material advantage, particularly in aviation, missiles, tanks, artillery, ammunition, and personnel. Therefore, he said, Ukraine must be "smarter and more efficient" in conducting the war.

“We cannot fight in the same way as they do, so we must use, first of all, the most effective approach, use our forces and means with maximum use of terrain features, engineering structures and also, to use technical superiority,” he said, referring to the drone program and other domestic high-tech weaponry.

Training of mobilized soldiers

Ukrainian recruits reach the front after undergoing less training than desired, Syrskyi noted in the interview. According to the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief, recruits receive one month of basic military training, followed by an additional half to a full month of specialized training before being sent into combat.

“Of course, everyone wants the level of training to be the best, so we train highly qualified professional military personnel. At the same time, the dynamics at the front require us to put conscripted servicemen into service as soon as possible,” he explained.