„It was unexpected for me to learn that a conflict arose between me and the minister. I perceived the relationship as professional: dealing with complex issues, with differing positions. That is how it should be between two institutions during a major war.
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If I offended anyone: Mychaila Albertovich, I apologize. I can be strict. But I ask you and everyone who is now enthusiastically following this story: let’s focus not on personal matters, but on the global ones. On victory,“ he urged.
O. Syrskis wrote that this dispute is “the greatest service we can do to the enemy.”
„War is won by real work, not public drama about it. Therefore, further discussion will be not about relationships, but about work.
Let’s start with the things that got lost in the discussion.
The Ministry of Defense is the supply of the army, public procurement, policy formation, civilian control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is a huge job without which the army does not fight. The minister does not have to be personally “on the front line” and does not have to be a war strategist. That is not his task and responsibility.
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War strategy, operational planning, the situation at the front – by law, these are the responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Long-range strikes, isolation of Crimea – these are carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate, the State Border Guard Service, and coordinated by the Commander-in-Chief and me. Not because I “do not allow” anyone to succeed, but because institutional processes are set up this way in all armies worldwide,” he wrote.
O. Syrskis added that accusations of “lack of strategy” are unfounded because, according to him, the strategy is reported to the Commander-in-Chief, and its results are visible on the front.
„I have served in the army for more than 40 years. I am a military man: I do not issue ultimatums to my commander and do not command soldiers via messages. A million-strong army is not managed through WhatsApp. It is managed through headquarters, orders, and the responsibility of commanders on site,“ he said.
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