RF losses have exceeded recruitment rates: since the beginning of the year, the occupiers have lost over 183 thousand military personnel, — Syrskyi

RF losses have exceeded recruitment rates: since the beginning of the year, the occupiers have lost over 183 thousand military personnel, — Syrskyi

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that since January 1, 2026, the Defence Forces have killed and wounded over 183,000 Russian troops, exceeding the Kremlin’s recruitment capacity. At the same time, Russia has not yet been fully exhausted, and the turning point is still ahead.

He said this in an interview with the British newspaper The Times.

Syrskyi confirmed that the strategic defensive operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is demonstrating high effectiveness. 

"Since January 1, the Defence Forces have killed or wounded more Russian troops than the Russian Federation has been able to recruit — over 183,000 Russian servicemen. Our main goal is for the enemy to lose more than 1,000 personnel killed or wounded every day. The losses are so great that they exceed the adversary’s ability to replenish its forces," the commander-in-chief emphasized.

However, according to Syrskyi, it is too early to speak of a strategic turning point. Russia still possesses significant accumulated potential.

"I cannot say unequivocally that the war is approaching a turning point. We hope that a moment will come when the enemy mobilizes all its forces, resources, and actions, after which exhaustion will set in. Only then might a turning point occur," he said.

The general also stated that Kyiv is no longer losing the war and Russia is no longer winning it, but this situation may not last long.

"War is a constant competition between technologies, economies, and resources, as well as a confrontation between armies. Even without an advantage, we must conduct active defensive operations and, where circumstances allow, offensive operations," Syrskyi explained, adding that attack remains the best form of defence.