Syrskyi first commented on rumors about a conflict with Fedorov: main statements

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi has publicly commented for the first time on rumors of a conflict with Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. He stated that there were working discussions between them, not a personal confrontation, and called for not politicizing the issue of war.

Syrsky wrote about this in his column.

According to the commander-in-chief, it came as a surprise to him that the working relationship with the minister was being called a conflict. He also apologized if he had offended anyone with his harshness.

Syrsky stressed that the Ministry of Defense is responsible for providing the army, procurement, and developing state policy, while the General Staff is engaged in planning combat operations and war strategy.

Separately, he rejected accusations that he allegedly opposes the development of unmanned systems. According to the commander-in-chief, it was under his leadership that the Unmanned Systems Forces were created as a separate branch of the military, but it is impossible to win a war with drones alone – the army also needs artillery, air defense, electronic warfare, and other weapons.

Syrsky also stated that new contracts for the military have so far been signed by about two thousand people from the million-strong army, and the program itself, according to him, has caused disappointment among some servicemen.

In addition, the commander-in-chief spoke about payments to the military. He emphasized that the salaries of defenders cannot be a source of redistribution of funds, commenting on the decision to direct part of the funding to the purchase of drones.

In conclusion, Syrsky stated that he is not at war with the Ministry of Defense or individual officials, and that his main task remains the fight against Russia and the defense of Ukraine.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelensky decided to dismiss Mykhailo Fedorov from the position of Minister of Defense due to a long-standing conflict with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky.

By the way, the European Solidarity faction called on the candidate for the post of Prime Minister, Serhiy Koretsky, to return Mykhailo Fedorov to the new government and entrust him with security and defense issues.

In addition, Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Pavlo Yelizarov submitted a report on his resignation. He explained his decision by the possible resignation of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and stated the risk of curtailing reforms in the field of air defense.