Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi / Telegram
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has denied reports of a conflict with former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, rejected accusations of obstructing military reforms, and defended his approach to battlefield strategy, drone warfare, personnel appointments, mobilization and military funding in an opinion piece published by Militarnyi.
Syrskyi said he rarely gives interviews or writes articles because he is focused on leading the war rather than building a public profile.
"I do not build an image and I have no political ambitions. I am fighting a war. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week," he wrote.
He said he decided to speak publicly because his silence had been interpreted as confirmation of allegations about conflicts and sabotage within Ukraine's military leadership.
Addressing his relationship with Fedorov, Syrskyi said he was surprised by reports of a personal feud, describing their interactions as professional despite disagreements. He also publicly apologized if his direct style had offended the former minister.
Syrskyi stressed that reducing debate about the military to a personal rivalry was harmful.
"Ukraine is bigger than Fedorov, Syrskyi or any one of us. Turning this war into a confrontation between two individuals is the greatest favor we can do for the enemy," he said.
The commander-in-chief also clarified the division of responsibilities between the Defense Ministry and the military command, saying the ministry oversees procurement, logistics and civilian oversight, while battlefield strategy and operational planning are the responsibility of the commander-in-chief.
He rejected claims that Ukraine lacks a military strategy, arguing that such plans cannot be made public without benefiting Russia.
Syrskyi also denied accusations of micromanaging the armed forces, saying a million-strong military cannot be run through messaging apps but through headquarters, formal orders and delegated authority.
On drone warfare, he noted that Ukraine established the world's first dedicated Unmanned Systems Forces under his command and that he personally recommended Robert "Madyar" Brovdi to lead the branch. However, he argued that drones cannot replace artillery, air defense, engineering units and other critical military capabilities.
"You cannot switch a million-strong army to drones in two months. Such an experiment would cost us territory and lives," he wrote.
Syrskyi defended his personnel decisions, saying appointments have been based solely on battlefield performance rather than personal loyalty. He acknowledged that military transfer procedures remain overly complicated but said changes require action from the Defense Ministry.
He also criticized the rollout of new military contracts, saying only about 2,000 servicemen had signed them since the program was announced and warning that the initiative had left many soldiers disappointed. Syrskyi raised concerns about its legal and financial framework, adding that soldiers' salaries should never become a source of funding for other defense programs.
On mobilization, Syrskyi said the Armed Forces support reform but emphasized that legislative and administrative changes must come from the Defense Ministry.
"I am not fighting the ministry. I am fighting Russia," he concluded, adding that the General Staff would work professionally with any defense minister appointed by the state.
The article was published amid media reports that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering replacing Syrskyi as commander-in-chief, while former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has reportedly declined a new defense-related role offered by the president.
