Ukraine armed forces chief reportedly refused an order from Zelensky to execute an offensive
By richardbrown // 2024-07-04
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Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, like his predecessor Valery Zaluzhny, has come into open conflict with the Ukrainian president's office. Syrskyi is reportedly facing dismissal for refusing to carry out Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's orders for a ground offensive, which the army chief has deemed "futile." According to Eurasia Daily, Syrskyi was ordered to launch a major offensive but declined, arguing that without proper equipment and air support, such a counteroffensive would result in heavy casualties. The reports shed light on the recent scandal involving Maryana Bezuhla, a member of the Verkhovna Rada – Ukraine's parliament. Bezuhla recently criticized Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin for not granting her permission to travel to the frontline. She claimed this restriction hindered her from exercising her constitutional rights. The reason for the lawmaker's desire to visit the frontline remains unclear, but the dispute between Zelensky and Syrskyi could be a contributing factor. Bezuhla has been vocal about the need for transparency and accountability within the Ukrainian military. Her attempts to visit the frontline were reportedly to assess the situation firsthand and ensure that military operations were being conducted efficiently and ethically. (Related: Military analyst: Zelensky established drone unit in Ukrainian Armed Forces to SWINDLE MORE MONEY) The refusal to grant her access has sparked debates within the parliament about the balance of power between military leadership and civilian oversight. The tension between Zelensky and Syrskyi also reflects broader issues within the Ukrainian government and military. Syrskyi's concerns about inadequate equipment and air support highlight ongoing challenges in Ukraine's defense strategy. Syrskyi was instrumental in some of Ukraine's significant victories against Russia and played a pivotal role in the successful defense of Kyiv during the early days of the conflict.

Who is the head of Ukraine's armed forces?

Born in the Russian city of Novinki during the time of the former Soviet Union in July 1965, Syrskyi studied in the Red Army's Higher Military Command School in Moscow. In the 1980s, he was deployed to the former Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Following the Soviet Union's collapse, he elected to remain in Ukraine, studying at the country's National Defense University and joining the ranks of the newly independent Armed Forces of Ukraine. Syrskyi's appointment as commander-in-chief is not surprising, given his extensive experience and capability to succeed his popular predecessor, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. In 2014, he commanded Ukrainian troops fighting a Moscow-backed insurgency in the eastern Donetsk region, earning the call sign "Snow Leopard." By 2019, he headed Ukraine's land forces and led the country into war when Russia invaded in February 2022. He was named a "Hero of Ukraine" for his successful defense of Kyiv. In July 2022, Syrskyi executed a counteroffensive that pushed Russian troops away from Kharkiv and reclaimed large areas in the east and southeast. Two months later, he orchestrated a significant counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, enabling Kyiv to retake Kupiansk and Izium. Syrskyi also led the prolonged and bloody Bakhmut operation, criticized for its high Ukrainian casualties but praised for supposedly exhausting Russian forces and resources in the region. His frontline successes have earned him the support of his soldiers, whom he frequently visits to boost morale. However, as the war shifts from triumphs to attrition, Syrskyi now faces the challenge of overseeing the conflict's most difficult phase. Entering its third year, the war strains Ukrainian lines with shortages of ammunition and fresh personnel, while Russian forces aim to advance. Watch this clip of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticizing former President Donald Trump for claiming that he knows how to end the conflict in Ukraine. This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com.

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