Oleksandr Syrskyi was credited with leading the defence of Kyiv and launching a counter-invasion of Russia’s Kursk province in summer 2024. Photograph: Vitalii Nosach/EPAOleksandr Syrskyi was credited with leading the defence of Kyiv and launching a counter-invasion of Russia’s Kursk province in summer 2024. Photograph: Vitalii Nosach/EPA