Ukrainian military commander announces offensive operations while highlighting Russia’s limitations and technological advancements.
Ukraine to Shift to Offensive Operations
General Ołeksandr Syrski, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, announced on January 13 that Ukraine will conduct offensive operations, moving beyond solely defensive strategies. “This year has shown that we can systematically exhaust the enemy and significantly limit its potential,” he stated.
“We will conduct offensive operations, fight to maintain operational initiative, because this forces the enemy to bring in and withdraw significant human resources, weapons, and ammunition,” Syrski explained on January 18 in an interview with the LB live channel.
Artificial Intelligence to Play Key Role in 2026
According to General Syrski, artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in the war in 2026, enabling effective weapons use, increased operational speed, and new technology implementation. “Moving to the next level of technological equipment for the armed forces will allow us to limit direct human involvement in combat, increase machine engagement, especially drone systems,” he explained.
Syrski also identified two other factors enabling Ukraine to threaten Russia: unwavering Western financial, economic, and military support, and the development of domestic weapons production.
Russia’s Military Capacity and Ukraine’s Resilience
General Syrski estimated that Russia currently produces 404 Shahed drones daily but plans to “significantly increase” production. He assessed that by 2026, Russia aims to form at least 11 divisions and mobilize 409,000 people, with a total mobilization potential exceeding 20 million people.
Despite these numbers, Syrski stated that Russia is “bleeding and bogging down,” with its offensives failing due to personnel shortages. He reported that Ukrainian army casualties decreased by 13% in 2025 compared to 2024.
Russia’s Failed 2025 Objectives
In his summary of 2025, General Syrski emphasized that Russia aimed to end the war by completely occupying southern and eastern regions of Ukraine (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia) and taking control of Odesa’s seaport. “However, this did not succeed,” Syrski stated, noting that the Russian aggressor “wanted to end the war against Ukraine by ending it with our defeat and imposing their terms from a position of strength.”
Weaponry Challenges
While Syrski spoke of a war of attrition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on January 16 that soldiers were “missing missiles” for several air defense systems. “This morning we still had several systems without missiles,” Zelenskyy said. “But thank God, we received a significant package… and today I have these missiles.” He added that Ukraine awaits “quick deliveries of what our partners have.”
