Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky has been appointed as the new leader of Ukraine’s military by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, replacing General Valerii Zaluzhny. Syrsky, known as the ‘Snow Leopard’ and ‘Hero of Ukraine’, has been key in the country’s victories against Russia, including the successful defence of Kyiv. Born in Soviet Russia, he remained in Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union and joined the newly independent Ukrainian army. His appointment as commander-in-chief is not surprising, as few in the Ukrainian military have the experience to succeed his popular predecessor. Syrsky has been credited for leading successful counteroffensives and orchestrating significant victories in the war, earning him the backing of his soldiers. However, he has also faced criticism for the high losses suffered by Ukrainian forces in some operations. Some military analysts believe that his battlefield tactics reflect his hierarchical Soviet training. As the conflict enters its third year, Syrsky has to oversee the most difficult phase of the war, with shortages of ammunition and fresh personnel threatening to weaken the Ukrainian lines. The Ukrainian forces’ main goal this winter has been holding the territory it controls, as much-needed United States military aid is held up in Congress.
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Ukraine’s New Army Chief, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky: A Profile | Latest Updates on Russia-Ukraine Conflict
