By Ollus Ndomu
Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky has outlined Ukraine’s strategic vision for reclaiming Crimea and provided insights into the current state of the conflict with Russia in an exclusive interview with The Guardian.
Syrsky confirmed that Ukraine has a plan for retaking Crimea, emphasizing its feasibility. “It’s realistic. Of course, it’s a major military secret,” he said.
Key points from the interview reveal significant details about the ongoing conflict:
- Russian casualties are reportedly three times higher than Ukrainian losses, with a ratio of military equipment loss of 1:2 or 1:3 in favor of the Russians.
- Syrsky stressed the importance of preserving Ukrainian soldiers’ lives over defending ruined structures.
- Ukrainian drones have successfully targeted approximately 200 critical infrastructure sites within Russia.
- At the onset of the invasion, Russia had 100,000 soldiers in Ukraine; this number has since increased to 520,000, with projections of reaching 690,000 by the end of 2024.
- A crucial objective for Ukraine remains the destruction of the Kerch Bridge.
As the conflict continues, Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts are also in focus. This week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visited China to engage with officials in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the war.
The geopolitical landscape may shift significantly depending on the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Former President Donald Trump, a leading candidate, has indicated that he may not continue the current level of U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense, contrasting with President Joe Biden’s policy.
