Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi Discusses Key Issues with Airborne Assault Units

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, recently engaged in a significant meeting with military personnel from airborne assault and storm units. This gathering aimed to discuss pressing matters that, according to Syrskyi, are 'not always visible from offices.' He shared this information on his social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of direct communication with soldiers on the front lines.

During the meeting, key needs of the servicemen were addressed, including supply issues and other vital aspects concerning their service. Syrskyi noted that he received valuable insights from the military regarding their experiences, perspectives on the battlefield situation, options for countering enemy drones, and aspects of soldier training and team cohesion.

'The most important thing in the Defense Forces is the people. The task of commanders and leaders is not only to set tasks and demand their execution but, first and foremost, to ensure, train, and preserve the lives of their warriors. [...] This fundamentally distinguishes the Ukrainian military from the Russian occupying army,' Syrskyi wrote, highlighting the significance of the human factor in military operations.

The Commander-in-Chief also informed that the participants of the meeting agreed to reconvene after some time to discuss the progress in implementing the proposed ideas and the status of addressing the issues raised during the discussion.

It is worth recalling that on April 1, volunteer and advisor to the Minister of Defense, Serhii Sternenko, accused the commanders of the 425th Assault Regiment Skelia of organizing assaults that led to significant losses for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These accusations sparked widespread public and military resonance.

The Skelia Regiment confirmed that on March 31, their unit indeed conducted assault operations aimed at securing a position in one of the areas of Pokrovsk. They acknowledged that Russian drones managed to hit four units of Ukrainian armored vehicles in the attack area; however, the military described the video released by the Russians as 'edited.' They claimed that the footage was filmed on different days at various sections of the front and was unrelated to the operation on March 31.

Additionally, the regiment reported that the casualties in the battle on March 31 included two soldiers who died near the armored vehicles. All crews of the equipment were evacuated by the fifth combat vehicle in the column, which, according to them, returned without damage, indicating the unit's coordinated actions.

Furthermore, the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that a service inspection of the actions of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelia is being conducted by higher command. At the same time, the regiment invited Serhii Sternenko to visit their positions, emphasizing: 'You won't see this in offices,' which underscores the military's openness to constructive dialogue and readiness for cooperation.