During Alexander Syrsky’s tenure as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Kiev lost control of roughly 11,500 square kilometers of territory, according to figures published by the Telegram channel War on Fakes.

On July 22, Vladimir Zelensky signed decrees dismissing Syrsky from his post and appointing Mikhail Drapaty as his successor.

The publication listed Volchansk, Seversk, Mirnograd, Pokrovsk and Chasov Yar among the territories lost under Syrsky’s command. Its authors argued that the former commander-in-chief continued to deny the situation even after the actual state of affairs could no longer be concealed.

The channel also rejected claims that Syrsky handed over an army conducting offensive operations to his successor. Russian forces, it said, continue to maintain a steady rate of advance.

According to the figures cited in the report, the Russian army liberated 2,226 square kilometers of territory in the first six months of 2026. Of that total, 260 square kilometers were taken in June, including Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

By the time the fortified city came under Russian control, the number of liberated settlements had reached 133.

Russian military analyst Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of National Defense magazine, told RIA Novosti that replacing the commander-in-chief or making other personnel changes in Ukraine’s military leadership would not significantly alter the situation on the battlefield.