Russia seeks to exhaust Ukrainian troops to prevent them from launching offensive - Syrskyi

Russia's military command is making efforts to increase the intensity and expand the geography of hostilities in a bid to wear out Ukrainian forces and prevent them from switching to active offensive operations.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said this in a post on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

He said that he had been working on the eastern front for almost a week in various groups that are defending the most critical areas of the front.

According to Syrskyi, the nature of the Russians' actions has not changed significantly. In the Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove and Vremivka operational areas, the enemy is conducting active offensive operations, trying to break through Ukrainian defenses and seize important areas of the terrain or settlements that affect the resilience of the defense.

The Russian army is concentrating its main efforts on the Pokrovsk sector where the majority of their shock brigades and regiments are stationed. Fierce fighting is ongoing near Hlyboke, Chasiv Yar, Staromaiorske, Robotyne, Krynky and islands in the coastal part of the east bank of the Dnipro River.

"As before, the purpose of my work is to study the situation, help brigade commanders organize combat operations, solve problematic issues, provide an additional amount of weapons and ammunition, strengthen reserves, etc.," Syrskyi said.

He also added: "The enemy perfectly understands that following the gradual arrival of a significant amount of weapons and military equipment from our partners, the arrival of the first F-16s, which will strengthen our air defense, time will play in our favor, and his chances of success will decrease."

Therefore, he said, the command of Russian troops is currently making every effort to increase the intensity and expand the geography of hostilities with the aim of maximally exhausting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, disrupting the training of reserves, and preventing the transition to active offensive actions.

"Across the entire front from Kharkiv to Krynky, our servicemen demonstrate resilience, courage and patriotism, and most importantly, faith in our victory. In particular, the other day in Donetsk region, a Ukrainian soldier from a combat brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces captured four Russian invaders. I believe that this the act is a vivid example of the bravery and high fighting spirit of our defenders and certainly deserves to be recognized with an appropriate award," Syrskyi said.

He thanked this soldier and all other Ukrainian defenders who have a responsible attitude toward fulfilling their duties for their selfless service.

"As never before, the army needs maximum support from society in all senses," Syrskyi said.