"Not obliged to please everyone": Hodges on Syrsky's work as commander-in-chief
Date: 2024-12-05 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR
The idea and execution of the Kursk operation were brilliant, such actions are an example of operational art, said military analyst and former commander of the US Ground Forces in Europe Ben Hodges, answering a question from a hromadske journalist about how he evaluates the work of the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky.
"This (the Kursk operation) was an attempt to regain the initiative that every commander wants to get instead of just sitting there where he is being beaten, losing people. This operation was supposed to change the dynamics. And this was achieved," the expert noted.
According to him, he has great respect for both former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny and Syrsky.
"I can't say anything bad about either of them. Both commanded the Ukrainian army at different stages of the war. At the end of the day, it is the president's prerogative to appoint whoever he wants as commander. In Ukraine, in the United States, and anywhere. The Ukrainian president needs to be sure that he has the right team of military leaders at this stage of the war. So I respect his choice," Hodges emphasized.
The analyst added that with the Kursk operation, Ukraine showed that Russia can be defeated, since the Ukrainian offensive created a dilemma for the Kremlin.
"Of course, the Russian leadership did not transfer all its resources from Donbas to Kursk region. This was not worth counting on. However, the Russians still had to pull resources from other places. And they still have not eliminated this Ukrainian bridgehead on their territory. So I applaud this operation," the former commander of the US Army in Europe emphasized.
At the same time, Hodges noted that the situation in the east of Ukraine is indeed difficult, but the occupiers do not have the ability to easily capture this or that territory. According to him, the Russian army continues to carry out artillery strikes and attacks, but it also suffers heavy losses - thousands of killed and wounded every day.
"And General Syrsky sees this well. Therefore, I think that the Kursk operation was a justified risk on the part of the General Staff of Ukraine. In war, opponents always look for a way to seize the initiative in order to step on the enemy's heels. It makes no sense to continue sitting in the trenches around Pokrovsk and being hit by the enemy. This exhausts the Ukrainian army and does not change the dynamics of the war. I think that people should stop sitting at home and criticizing the commander who is fighting, and instead join the army or do everything to provide the Armed Forces with everything they need. General Syrsky is not participating in a competition for national popularity. He is waging a war. He does not have to be liked by everyone," the expert concluded.
