The Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Sirsky, spoke to Unian about the situation on the Eastern front.
"The situation on the Eastern front remains quite challenging. The enemy continues its offensive actions across the front, concentrating its main efforts on the Kupiansk and Bakhmut directions.
The enemy is suffering significant losses, primarily in terms of personnel, but constantly replenishes its ranks through the movement of reserves, including from the territory of the Russian Federation.
The aggressor is attempting to breach our defense in the area of the Kupyansk forest and on the Orlanske-Petropavlivka road, with the aim of directly reaching Kupyansk and subsequently blockading and encircling it.
In certain areas, the enemy actively employs armored vehicles, primarily tanks, to support their infantry while maintaining the intensity of artillery fire and aviation strikes. We continue to actively defend. Our goal is to inflict maximum losses on the enemy, hold the occupied positions and frontlines, regain them when necessary, and conduct offensive actions on specific fronts.
My work in the combat brigades on the Kupyansk and Lyman fronts was aimed at preserving combat readiness, improving the effectiveness of operations, and providing assistance to the commanders of units and parts in organizing the battle.
During the meetings with brigade commanders, the leadership of the operational-tactical groups, and their staff officers, we resolved most of the pressing issues on the spot. This included enhancing the effectiveness of engaging the enemy, strengthening the deployment with reserves, logistics support, and many other matters.
Of course, I met with our servicemen who distinguished themselves in battles against the Russian occupiers. I expressed my gratitude for their heroism, resilience, and courage, and presented them with awards, valuable gifts, and financial rewards. We discussed the prospects for further actions, considering the approaching winter period.
I'm proud of our soldiers, their endurance, bravery, and their ability to conduct offensive operations every day, liberating our land from the occupiers. War is a difficult and challenging path, but we must go through it for the sake of our children, their happy future, and the preservation and prosperity of our state!
Glory to Ukraine!"
