Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi briefed participants of the EU Military Committee meeting on the current battlefield situation, the priorities of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, and the urgent needs of the Ukrainian army.
Speaking at the meeting of EU chiefs of defense, Syrskyi described the situation on the front line as difficult but stressed that Ukrainian forces have continued to prevent Russia from achieving its strategic goals.
“At the meeting of the EU Military Committee, I spoke about the operational situation on the battlefield in Ukraine, which remains difficult. At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have not allowed the enemy to achieve the strategic objectives of the so-called special military operation,” Syrskyi said.
According to him, Ukraine is increasingly relying on asymmetric tactics to counter Russia’s larger military resources. The key objectives for Ukrainian forces remain stopping Russian advances, carrying out effective counterattacks, striking military targets deep behind enemy lines, and strengthening air defense.
Syrskyi noted that unmanned systems continue to play a crucial role on the battlefield. Ukrainian drone units operating in the air, on land, and at sea are inflicting significant losses on Russian forces. On average, one strike drone crew eliminates around 15 Russian troops per month, he said.
The commander-in-chief also outlined Ukraine’s most urgent military needs, emphasizing the importance of additional air defense systems, missile defense systems, and interceptor missiles.
In addition, Syrskyi called for the launch of a Ukraine-EU Drone Alliance to strengthen joint production and development of unmanned technologies.
He thanked European partners for their continued military and financial assistance and welcomed EU defense initiatives, including ReArm Europe, SAFE, and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), which Ukraine has been allowed to join.
Syrskyi also praised the continuation of European support programs for 2026–2027 and the work of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM).
“The European Union has been the largest collective provider of assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion,” Syrskyi said, adding that closer cooperation would help weaken Russia’s ability to continue the war and strengthen security across Europe.
