Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Assures Victory Despite Challenges: 'We Will Win, and I Know How'

Sitting atop a stack of ammunition crates at a secret military base, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi remains tight-lipped about the arrival of Ukraine's long-awaited F-16 fighter jets. While Dutch and other allies have indicated they will arrive soon—perhaps this week or in August—Syrskyi, the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, refrains from giving a specific timeline. In his first interview with the British "Guardian," he smiles apologetically, acknowledging he knows more but cannot share details.

As Ukraine's new military leader, Syrskyi's daunting task is to overcome the larger Russian force. Despite Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion two and a half years ago, Syrskyi acknowledges the substantial resources of the Russian military, which has expanded from an initial 100,000 troops to 520,000, with a target of 690,000 by the end of 2024. The equipment disparity is also significant, with Russian tanks, artillery systems, and armored personnel carriers having all seen considerable increases.

Syrskyi points out that the Russian advantage in both manpower and equipment is evident in recent battlefield developments. Since last fall, Ukrainian forces have faced setbacks, including the strategic withdrawal from Avdiivka, a move coinciding with a six-month pause in US arms supplies. The Russians have continued to advance in eastern Donbas, capturing territories and opening new fronts, such as the recent assault on Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast.

Syrskyi describes the current situation as "very difficult," but he remains optimistic. He believes the advance of Russian forces can be stopped, stressing the bravery and capability of Ukrainian soldiers and officers. He cites the unsuccessful Russian attempt to seize Kharkiv and the...