Syrsky Admits ‘Miscalculations’ by Commanders in Avdiivka Sector

Oleksandr Syrsky, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), revealed via Telegram the “miscalculations” made by individual commanders in the Avdiivka sector.

“A particularly tense situation has developed in the Avdiivka and Zaporizhzhia directions,” Syrsky said.

He reported that Russian assault units were attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses and seize control of settlements such as Tonenke, Orlivka, Semenivka, Berdychi, and Krasnohorivka.

Near Zaporizhzhia fighting continues around Verbove and Robotyne, where Russian troops are striving to regain control, according to Syrsky’s report.

“My work in the area of hostilities began with the operational-tactical grouping Donetsk, focusing on the units defending in the Avdiivka direction,” he added.

Syrsky pointed out that the success of any battle relies on the quality of planning and the subordinates’ effective implementation of the commander’s plan.

“During the assessments of some commanders’ work, we identified certain miscalculations in situational awareness and enemy assessment, directly impacting the defense stability in specific areas,” he wrote.

Assuring that corrective measures were swiftly taken, Syrsky mentioned the allocation of additional ammunition and material resources, along with necessary reserves.

He reported that Ukrainian brigades are engaged in intense battles against the enemy’s superior forces. Despite suffering significant losses in manpower and equipment, Russian forces persist in attacking Ukrainian positions, occasionally achieving success in certain areas.

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Syrsky outlined his primary tasks:

• Effective utilization of combat capabilities to inflict maximum losses on Russian forces
• Destruction of a significant portion of Russian artillery and armored vehicles
• Maintenance of occupied positions and restoration of withdrawn Ukrainian forces’ positions.

Syrsky emphasized the need for proper distribution of reserves to reinforce defense along crucial routes.

When working with brigade commanders, he stressed the importance of “organized efforts at control points regarding enemy fire damage, timely and appropriate decision-making based on the prevailing situation, and maintaining constant interaction between units and subdivisions.”

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) previously suggested that Russian forces are continuing their offensive near Avdiivka to prevent Ukrainian troops from establishing a more robust defense line near the city.

Analysts predict that in the coming weeks, Russians may target settlements west and northwest of the city. However, the terrain and water bodies in this area, particularly the reservoir between Berdychi and Semenivka-Orlivka, are likely to impede the pace of Russian advance.

Regarding the recent change in command, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service, dismissed rumors of a conflict between former Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Budanov implied that Zelensky’s decision to replace Zaluzhny with Syrsky was appropriate.