During the Defense of Kyiv Region, Communication Organization Became a Key Issue - Syrsky

General Oleksandr Syrsky, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, shared vital insights during a televised interview regarding the defense strategies employed in the Kyiv region in 2022. He emphasized that establishing effective communication between different units, including the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Territorial Defense (TRO), and volunteer formations, emerged as one of the most pressing challenges during combat operations.

Syrsky pointed out that meticulous planning was conducted at the initial stages, taking into account the actions of diverse units. He stated, "Initially, there was planning. We considered the actions of various heterogeneous units, different types. The organizational issues were all well thought out. However, the question of communication organization was a problem for us at the first stage because, despite everyone having similar types of radios like 'Motorola,' each had a different frequency range." This discrepancy complicated coordination, especially during fierce battles in Moshchun, where seamless interaction among all units was crucial.

The Commander-in-Chief also discussed how the Kyiv garrison organized the collection of 'Motorola' radios, which were subsequently distributed to border guards and the National Guard. This initiative enabled the establishment of a unified communication network among headquarters and key commanders, allowing them to effectively manage their units through their own radio equipment.

In addition to communication challenges, Syrsky highlighted the significance of small mobile groups that played a decisive role in the defense of the Kyiv region. He noted that the enemy's unfamiliarity with the terrain provided an advantage to Ukrainian defenders. Local residents actively assisted by reporting enemy movements and equipment.

When discussing the planning of the defense, Syrsky mentioned that special attention was given to protecting airports. "All locations suitable for airborne landings were prepared for anti-airborne defense. This meant that runways were blocked with vehicles and special barriers," he explained. The primary locations that were defended included Hostomel, Boryspil, and Zhulyany, which were considered the most likely sites for enemy landings.

Syrsky underscored, "The main thing was that all these areas, especially Hostomel, were under heavy artillery fire. This likely caused significant damage to the landing operations and inflicted substantial losses on the airborne troops and the units that were based there. We know that 'Akhamat' was stationed there, and they suffered considerable losses due to artillery fire."

It is important to note that on April 2, 2022, the Ukrainian Defense Forces completely expelled Russian troops from the Kyiv region, marking a significant victory in the context of the armed conflict.

Photo courtesy of the Main Directorate of Communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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