Russia's offensive ability is broken, Kyiv's former top general tells BBC

What the report says

Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s former commander-in-chief, said in his first interview since being removed from the post that Kyiv has stabilised the front line and damaged Russia’s ability to advance. Speaking to the BBC in Kyiv, he argued that Russian losses, Ukraine’s use of drones and other technological changes have helped create a military stalemate, while Moscow still holds major advantages in troops, artillery and air power.

The interview also revisited the reasons for his dismissal this summer after a public dispute linked to defence leadership and procurement priorities. Syrskyi rejected criticism that he was too traditional for a more technology-driven war, saying he oversaw major expansion in drone warfare and deep strikes. He also responded to complaints from some soldiers who told the BBC they had been left in exposed positions too long during retreats from eastern towns.

The BBC reported that neither side officially publishes reliable casualty figures, making Syrskyi’s claims difficult to verify. Still, his comments highlight a central debate in Ukraine over how to balance manpower, technology and battlefield tactics as the war grinds on. He also used the interview to urge European countries to prepare for the possibility of a wider threat from Russia, adding a warning that the conflict is becoming more automated and dependent on AI-assisted systems.