Syrsky Says Army Went From Defense to Offensive Before Exit as Russia Declares Drapatyi Wanted

Outgoing Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Oleksandr Syrsky issued his first public statement following his resignation, defending his wartime leadership.

In a lengthy Telegram post, Syrsky reflected on his service, from the defense of Kyiv in 2022 to leading the AFU during some of the most difficult phases of Russia‘s full-scale invasion.

“Today I am leaving the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Syrsky wrote. “Whatever my status, I will serve Ukraine until Victory.”

Syrsky recalled commanding the defense of Kyiv during the opening weeks of the invasion and later overseeing Ukraine’s successful Kharkiv counteroffensive, which liberated Balakliia, Izium, and Kupiansk. He also highlighted operations against Russia’s Wagner mercenary group in the Donetsk region.

Reflecting on his appointment as AFU’s commander-in-chief in February 2024, Syrsky said one of his first decisions was ordering the withdrawal from Avdiivka to preserve the lives of Ukrainian troops.

He credited Ukraine’s military with later halting Russian offensives in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions before launching the Kursk operation, which brought combat onto Russian territory for the first time during the full-scale war.

“Our goal was never the occupation of foreign land,” Syrsky wrote. “Our goal was to disrupt the enemy’s planned offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv, draw away its most combat-ready forces, and replenish the prisoner exchange fund. All of this was accomplished.”

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Syrsky also pointed to a series of military reforms introduced under his command, including the creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), the establishment of dedicated drone-based air defense units, the transition of the military to a corps structure, and expanding combat leadership roles for frontline officers.

He claimed Ukraine had also intensified strikes against Russia’s Black Sea capabilities, saying Ukrainian forces had effectively closed the port of Novorossiysk and were systematically targeting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

According to Syrsky, Ukrainian forces liberated 743 square kilometers (287 square miles) of territory during his tenure.

“I am handing over an army that is not only holding the defense but is also on the offensive – with initiative, structure, and people who know how to defeat the enemy,” he wrote.

Russia declares Drapatyi wanted

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs added newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi to its federal wanted list.

According to Russian state news agency TASS, Drapatyi’s profile appeared in the ministry’s public database shortly after his appointment, stating only that he is “wanted under an article of the Criminal Code.” Russian authorities did not specify which criminal charges were involved.

The move follows earlier actions by Russia’s Investigative Committee, which previously charged Drapatyi in absentia.

Russian investigators accuse Drapatyi and Ukrainian Major General Viktor Nikoliuk of commanding Joint Forces operations in 2017 and 2019 that allegedly resulted in more than 70 artillery strikes against territories controlled by the self-proclaimed “DPR” and “LPR.”

Moscow claims those attacks caused civilian casualties, allegations that Ukraine has consistently rejected as part of Russia’s broader campaign to criminalize Ukraine’s military leadership.