Oleksandr Syrskyi has played a key role in some of Ukraine's biggest victories in its war with Russia. He led the successful defense of the capital in the early days of the invasion.
The war is about to enter its third year, morale is low and the army is facing a shortage of ammunition and personnel. The main objective of Ukrainian forces this winter has been to hold the territory they control, while much-needed US military aid is withheld in Congress, jeopardizing Kiev's military planning.