Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Syrsky identifies Chernihiv region as most likely route for potential Russian offensive
AKIPRESS.COM – The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Oleksandr Syrsky, considers a Russian advance into Chernihiv region from Russia’s northern Bryansk region—rather than from Belarus—to be the most probable offensive scenario.
He shared this assessment during an interview with TSN that aired on Tuesday, June 30.
He said Russia’s strategy aims to push deep into Chernihiv region to divert Ukrainian forces, thereby stretching the frontline and depriving Ukraine of its strategic reserves. Syrsky confirmed that Ukraine views this as a realistic scenario and is actively preparing for it.
At the same time, Syrsky noted that the Russian military command is also developing a scenario for a repeated offensive against Kyiv from Belarusian territory, an option the AFU continues to take into account. He added that Ukrainian authorities are aware that Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian General Staff to calculate various options for conducting offensive operations.
However, Syrsky emphasized that no concentration of forces has been observed on the Belarusian side so far. He expressed doubt that the leadership of Belarus would choose to offer its territory to the aggressor as a staging ground for an offensive given recent developments. He explained that Ukraine possesses the experience, trained units, and prepared troops necessary to secure the border and block enemy drone flights along the frontier.
A few days prior, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko publicly appealed to both Russia and Ukraine not to drag his country into the conflict. This followed an ultimatum issued a week earlier by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who demanded that Minsk dismantle equipment used to help Russian unmanned aerial vehicles target Ukrainian cities within seven days.
Commenting on these signal repeaters, Oleksandr Syrsky indicated they have not yet been removed, noting that one repeater was activated yesterday, though he believes no more will be switched on.
