Ukraine cannot be forced to surrender, says commander whose brigade destroyed 57,000 Russian targets, as US pressure and Russian missiles test its will
Yurii Fedorenko of the Achilles brigade says the US turn toward Moscow may push Europe to arm Ukraine more.
Ending the war by forcing Ukraine to surrender is impossible, declared Yurii Fedorenko, commander of the 429th "Achilles" Unmanned Systems Brigade. His comments came amidst Ukraine's struggle with the consequences of a US-Russia deal which limited its access to Starlink and intelligence, culminating in a Kyiv strike that claimed three lives.
The Achilles unit, formed in the early days of the full-scale invasion, excels in aerial reconnaissance and drone missions, boasting over 57,000 strikes to date. Fedorenko, recognized as a Hero of Ukraine in January 2026, believes there will be no "miraculous de-escalation". He maintains that neither pressure from Washington nor Russian missiles can suppress Ukraine's resolve to fight for its freedom.
Russia's strategy of terrorizing Ukrainians with ballistic missiles, drones, and Shaheds will persist, and no near-term shift in US policy will bring about a change, according to Fedorenko. He stresses that Ukraine will continue to defend itself and retaliate. A long-term energy ceasefire, he adds, is not sustainable. "Ukrainian society is prepared to defend itself and uphold its right to life through force," he asserts, challenging the notion that the Kremlin and its associates have underestimated the mood in Ukraine.
Fedorenko anticipates a change in the political landscape following the US election. President Donald Trump is likely to lose his majority, making it harder for him to make unilateral domestic decisions, including foreign policy. If Trump needs to compromise with Democrats to pass legislation, this could influence the broader scenario, Fedorenko notes.
While he did not explicitly predict impeachment, he warned that existing decisions could be contested in court. "I am firmly convinced we will overcome the difficulties imposed by circumstances, including those arising from abroad," he stated. Fedorenko views the US' shift towards Russia as a shock to Europe. This shift has prompted European leaders to consider how they would fare if the US withdrew from NATO and to view the Russian threat as a direct danger to their own borders, not just Ukraine's.
This concern can work to Ukraine's advantage, encouraging European partners to supply more weapons, financial aid, and economic support. The satellite issue is equally important. Ukraine lacks its own space program, so it cannot develop an alternative to Starlink alone. The solution lies in collective action, with NATO countries pooling resources for joint satellite launches, Fedorenko explains.
Russia is pursuing a different approach with its "Rassvet" system, largely built by China, and warns that if Moscow and Beijing succeed, the consequences would extend far beyond Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
