As uncertainty lingers in Ukraine’s Presidential Office regarding the fate of army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, potential successor Oleksandr Syrskyi provides a sober assessment of the frontline near Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. Syrskyi acknowledges the ongoing intensity of battles but refrains from commenting on Zaluzhnyi’s reported dismissal over disagreements on war strategy.
Highlighting the critical issue of troop numbers, Syrskyi notes Russia’s continuous reinforcement and high-intensity assault operations.
President Zelensky’s reluctance to support Zaluzhnyi’s call for a substantial mobilization drive has exacerbated tensions between them. CNN reported Zelensky’s decision to replace Zaluzhnyi, denied by a presidential spokesman, though an announcement is anticipated.
Zaluzhnyi, expressing frustrations in a recent CNN opinion piece, points to institutional challenges hindering the improvement of armed forces’ manpower levels without resorting to unpopular measures.
The region visited by Syrskyi has witnessed Ukrainian forces facing setbacks, notably near Tabaivka, where Russian pressure has intensified along the Luhansk and Kharkiv border.
While the General Staff reports continued airstrikes and artillery attacks, Ukrainian forces face challenges, including a shortage of ammunition. Despite Russian superiority in equipment and personnel, Ukrainian forces maintain resilience. In the battered city of Bakhmut, Russian efforts aim to break through Ukraine’s defenses, with a focus on advancing towards Chasiv Yar.
Southward, Russian attention on Avdiivka remains steadfast, with potential gains to the north reported. The 47th Brigade, defending the town, claims to inflict heavy losses on Russia, preventing the cutoff of Ukrainian logistics supplies.
