Ukraine must change 'methods' of war, says new Army Chief

Kyiv's new commander-in-chief calls for change in Ukrainian Army's methods to win war against Russia.

The Ukrainian Army needs to change its “methods” to win the war against Russia, Kyiv’s new commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said on Friday in his first comments in the role.

The 58-year-old replaced commander Valery Zaluzhny this week in the biggest shake-up of Ukraine’s military leadership since Russia’s invasion began nearly two years ago.

The veteran general faces a myriad of problems in his in-tray, not least of which a 1,000-km deadlocked frontline that has barely moved in over a year of fighting. The Army needs “clear and detailed planning”, he said in a social media post, “taking into account the needs of the frontline for the latest weapons supplied by international partners”.

Ukraine's allies, particularly Washington and Brussels, are struggling to keep up aid packages that have so far allowed Kyiv to hold out against Russia.

Mr. Syrsky is taking over the military at a time of uncertainty over what resources will be available and as Russia puts its economy on a war footing, ramping up production and recruitment.

Despite successes on the battlefield, Syrsky is not a national icon like Zaluzhny, and he has a reputation for being indifferent to military casualties.

He appeared to address this characterisation in his statement, saying: "The lives and well-being of our servicemen have always been and remain the main asset of the Ukrainian army".