Syrskyi: I Created the Unmanned Systems Forces, but Can't Transition a Million-Strong Army to Drones in Two Months
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has denied accusations that he opposes drone warfare, stating he personally established the Unmanned Systems Forces as a separate branch. He also cautioned that converting the entire army to drones within two months would be reckless.
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has rejected claims that he is reluctant to use drones in combat. In a column on the Militarnyi website, he explained that he created the Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) as a distinct branch of the military and personally proposed Robert Brovdi, known as Madyar, to lead it. According to Syrskyi, this was an unpopular decision that he took full responsibility for.
Syrskyi acknowledged that drones account for a significant share of strikes today, but emphasized that effective drone operations require artillery, mortars, engineering equipment, air defense, and electronic warfare. He stressed that Ukraine faces a superior enemy that employs all types of weaponry. With a million-strong army, transitioning entirely to drones within two months would be an adventure paid for with land and lives.
Additionally, Syrskyi apologized to former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, stating he was unaware of a conflict between them. Earlier, Fedorov said he identified 11 major problems in the defense leadership and that the president rejected his proposal to dismiss Syrskyi. Fedorov claimed his initiatives to improve front-line operations were met with resistance.
