The general is certain that his nation will prevail in its conflict with Russia.
General Oleksandr Syrskiy, the commander of Ukraine’s ground troops, said in an exclusive interview with ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell that the threat of nuclear retaliation by Russian President Vladimir Putin should worry the entire world.
Putin hinted, late last month, that after a string of defeats for Moscow on the battlefield, Russia will turn to nuclear weapons in its conflict with Ukraine.
“We are and should be worried,” Syrskiy told ABC News.
On ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday, you may see more of Ian Pannell’s complete interview with General Oleksandr Syrskiy.
Despite the difficulties of battle, the Ukrainian commander is certain that his nation is defeating Russia.
“Of course, I think we are winning. Because first and foremost, we are winning the psychological battle,” Syrskiy said. “We have success on the battleground, but the war is difficult.”
The battles of Kyiv in the spring and Kharkiv in the fall were both won by Syrskiy, the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine commander. Thousands of square kilometres of captured area were swiftly liberated by the effective surprise counteroffensive, driving the Russians back towards their border.
After an explosion partially destroyed a bridge that connected the annexed Crimea to Russia and served as a crucial supply route for Russian forces, Putin accused Ukraine of terrorism last month.
“There hasn’t been any wars at that scale in Europe, or elsewhere in the world, since the Second World War. And we understand that this war is about the survival of our people and our state and this is why we have no other option but to win,” Syrskiy said.
