The recent change in Ukraine’s military leadership, with Alexander Syrsky appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief, follows a prolonged period of tension between President Zelensky and the former leader, Valery Zaluzhny. Syrsky, born and raised in Russia, has a notable military background but is not without controversy. While concerns persist about Syrsky’s suitability for the role, experts point out that his appointment serves Zelensky’s interests by avoiding a potential political rivalry.
The decision raises questions about the Ukrainian president’s priorities in selecting a military leader, emphasizing pragmatic considerations over the commander’s controversial history.
Tensions between President Zelensky and former Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny escalated due to perceived failures of the Ukrainian army during the previous summer counteroffensive. Initially confined to rumors, the dispute became public, leading to widespread discussions in the Ukrainian media about Zaluzhny’s potential dismissal by the end of January.
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President Zelensky officially confirmed the intention to replace the Commander-in-Chief on February 5 during an interview with RAI Italia. He justified the decision by citing the need for a “reset” due to evident “stagnation” in the military. Three days later, the successor to face the challenges underlying the conflict was revealed: Colonel-General Alexander Syrsky, former ground forces commander.
Syrsky’s appointment stirred public debates in Ukraine, given his controversial background. The choice of a new Commander-in-Chief marks a significant shift in leadership dynamics, as Zelensky aims to address perceived shortcomings in the military structure and foster a strategic reset to overcome existing challenges.
Born on July 26, 1965, in Novinki, a village less than 90 miles east of Moscow in Vladimir Region, Alexander Syrsky embarked on his military career in Russia. In 1982, he enrolled in the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School. Four years later, he was stationed in the Ukrainian SSR, serving as the commander of a motorized rifle platoon in the First Combined Arms Army’s 25th Division, 426th Regiment. Following the USSR’s dissolution, Syrsky became a Ukrainian citizen.
Over several decades, Syrsky climbed the ranks, starting as the commander of a motorized rifle battalion in 1993 and eventually heading a brigade as a Major General. Concurrently, he pursued military education, graduating with honors from the Academy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 1996, focusing on operational and tactical planning. Nine years later, he completed studies in strategic military management at the National Defense University of Ukraine.
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Syrsky held various roles, including First Deputy Commander of the Joint Operational Command, First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian General Staff’s Main Directorate of Military Cooperation and Peacekeeping Operations, and later, as the First Deputy Chief of the AFU’s Main Command Center. In this capacity, he managed Ukraine’s cooperation with NATO and represented the country during negotiations aligning its army with NATO standards, notably during Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency.
Colonel-General Alexander Syrsky hails from a family rooted in Russian patriotism. His father, a retired military veteran, his mother, an avid choir singer and gardener, and his brother, employed as a security guard, continue to reside in Russia. Syrsky’s 82-year-old mother, Lyudmila, actively engages in social media, expressing support for late Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s views on Ukraine, well wishes for President Vladimir Putin, and humor regarding current Ukrainian laws.
Amidst the scrutiny surrounding Alexander Syrsky’s family, his military decisions have stirred apprehension regarding his suitability for the role of Commander-in-Chief. Within military circles, Syrsky is dubbed with several nicknames, including “General 200” (200 signifying the military code for soldier’s corpses), “butcher,” and “cannibal.” These monikers stem from his perceived willingness to prioritize battlefield outcomes over the lives of soldiers.
Syrsky’s controversial actions include ordering extensive infantry attacks on Russian Armed Forces positions, resulting in substantial casualties for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). In July 2022, he oversaw operations in the Kharkov region, followed by responsibility for a counteroffensive in September. His subsequent appointment as AFU Commander in Artemovsk (Bakhmut) earned him the moniker “butcher,” notably mentioned by Politico in relation to leading Ukrainian troops into what was described as the Artemovsk “meat grinder.” The use of such nicknames reflects concerns about Syrsky’s command decisions, particularly his approach to military tactics that have incurred significant human costs.
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During the 2023 counteroffensive, Alexander Syrsky advocated reinforcing the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s (AFU) defense near Kupyansk against advancing Russian troops. He emphasized the strategic importance of the northeast region over the south. However, the Ukrainian army opted to disperse its forces both to the east and south.
Syrsky gained prominence for his role in the 2015 Debaltsevo battles, where AFU members were encircled in the “Debaltsevo cauldron,” resulting in numerous Ukrainian casualties. Recognizing his contributions, he was awarded the Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, 3rd class.
In his first statement after being appointed Commander-in-Chief, Syrsky said that the life and health of Ukrainian servicemen “have always been and will always remain the main priority of the Ukrainian army.”
“Therefore, maintaining balance between carrying out combat missions and restoring units and subunits [to desired combat capability], and intensifying the training of personnel remains more relevant than ever,” he said.
He outlined the AFU’s new agenda, including the development of a comprehensive action plan for military authorities, considering foreign weapon supplies and efficient distribution of resources to combat units.
The political leadership in Ukraine anticipates battlefield victories and is reportedly urging Syrsky to formulate a strategy that addresses the perceived stagnation at the front, as reported by CNN.
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Zelensky’s selection of Alexander Syrsky as the new Commander-in-Chief stemmed from a strategic political consideration—Zelensky perceived Syrsky as a non-political figure, minimizing the risk of a future electoral rivalry. According to Vladimir Oleinik, a member of the “Other Ukraine” political movement, the stark ideological differences between Zelensky and the former Commander-in-Chief, Valery Zaluzhny, hindered any possibility of reconciliation.
Oleinik explained that Zelensky’s focus on territorial control, possibly linked to financial support from Ukraine’s Western partners, diverged from Zaluzhny’s military-oriented approach, prioritizing soldier well-being and acknowledging the necessity of tactical retreats to minimize losses.
The December 2023 poll by “Strana.ua” revealed Zaluzhny’s higher approval rating (82%) compared to Zelensky’s (72%), indicating substantial public trust in the former Commander-in-Chief. Oleinik suggested that to secure his position, Zelensky opted for a “safer” candidate, Syrsky, given the latter’s perceived lack of threat to the president’s political standing. The move aimed to preempt Zaluzhny’s growing support from oligarchs and politicians, ultimately safeguarding Zelensky’s presidency.
“Today, Zelensky’s main goal is to keep the situation under control until the presidential elections in the US. If the same thing happens in Ukraine as in Afghanistan, [US President Joe] Biden doesn’t have any chance of winning the elections. It is not a coincidence that on the exact day when Syrsky was appointed Commander-in-Chief, he addressed the Cabinet of Ministers and proposed to extend the operation hours of military enlistment offices, so they would work 24 hours a day. We saw how people were caught [on the street and drafted into the army] during the day, now this will happen at night as well. All this corresponds to the US concept and to Zelensky’s plan. In other words, people are not dying for their country, they’re dying for Biden and Zelensky. Society has also realized that [Syrsky] is ‘General death’. The discussion in Ukraine continues. They are in their death throes.” Oleinik added.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s recent appointment of Alexander Syrsky as the new Commander-in-Chief has ignited a storm of controversy, with questions surrounding his suitability and the political motivations behind President Zelensky’s decision.