Oleksandr Syrskyi
Oleksandr Syrskyi is a Ukrainian military commander, a general, who has served as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since February 2024. He previously commanded the Ukrainian Ground Forces and led the defense of Kyiv in the early phase of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, as well as counter-offensive operations in the Kharkiv region and in Russia's Kursk Oblast.
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Ukrainian military carries out world's first frontline aerial evacuation of a wounded soldier by drone
The 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, together with other units and the Ukrainian drone manufacturer Gurzuf Defence, evacuated a wounded infantryman from a frontline position using a heavy hexacopter drone. Ground evacuation was not possible because of intense Russian drone activity and mined terrain. The operation was announced on 19 October.
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Syrskyi in first major interview since dismissal: Ukraine's war outcome uncertain, Kursk operation a success
Former Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, dismissed by President Zelenskyy in July, gave his first major interview to the BBC in which he said it is impossible to say with certainty whether Ukraine is winning or losing the war, defended the 2024 Kursk operation as a successful and necessary maneuver, and detailed his procurement-related disagreements with former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. He denied issuing any ultimatum to Fedorov and said the decision to remove him rested solely with the president. The interview was published on 13 October 2026.
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Ukraine's top commander submits first "war plan" to security council, transfers dozens of generals to reserve
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi has prepared a so-called "war plan" and submitted it for review to the National Security and Defense Council (RNBO), according to Ukrainska Pravda. The document, reportedly the first of its kind for Ukraine, has been under consideration by the RNBO for several weeks. Separately, Drapatyi has moved dozens of colonels, brigadier generals, and other senior officers into the reserve battalion over the past six weeks.
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Ukraine says defence deficit for 2026 is $27 billion, $20 billion in partner talks
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said Ukraine's 2026 defence budget deficit stands at $27 billion. About $7 billion is to be covered through domestic austerity and reallocation, while the remaining $20 billion is being negotiated with international partners. The government is racing to meet commitments by mid-October or risk losing access to $29.5 billion in planned international financing.
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Anti-corruption court extends Yermak's procedural obligations for 60 days, lifts electronic bracelet on medical grounds
Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court (ВАКС) extended for 60 days the procedural obligations imposed on Andriy Yermak, the former head of the Office of the President, who is suspected of laundering property obtained through criminal means. The court declined to extend the requirement that Yermak wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, citing an independent medical specialist's finding that continued use could threaten his life and health.