UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Jul 24 — As of 2024, the Russian army has twice as much equipment as Ukraine. Despite this, the Defense Forces stopped the new Russian offensive on Kharkiv, said Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an interview with the Guardian published on July 24.

Russia started its new offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region in May, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Now, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and near Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

According to Syrskyi, the Russian army grouping now includes 520,000 people, and they plan to increase this number to 690,000. Despite this, he noted that Ukrainian troops are successfully repelling Russian attacks, and the combat is ongoing.

“Putin’s attempt to create a “so-called security corridor” near the Russian border and the Belgorod region was failed,” Syrskyi said about Russia’s May ground offensive.

According to the Commander-in-Chief, Russia has increased the number of tanks from 1,700 to 3,500 and artillery from 4,500 to 8,900. However, in terms of quality, he said Ukraine is winning. He noted that drones play “as big a role as artillery”. 

Syrskyi added that the Armed Forces have been “very effective” in using drones and “robotic ground systems” to deliver ammunition or rescue wounded soldiers.

Syrskyi also said that the Ukrainian army is using long-range kamikaze drones to strike deep into Russian territory. They have already targeted about 200 critical infrastructure facilities in Russia, including factories, fuel depots, and ammunition depots.

In the interview, the Commander-in-Chief once again emphasized the need for further cooperation with partners and the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

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