Ukraine is bolstering its northern flank near Belarus, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Oleksandr Syrsky said on Tuesday. Following a meeting on reserve forces, Syrsky announced measures to reinforce defenses in the north, with a particular focus on expanding drone capabilities.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. To bolster defenses near Belarus, he said Ukraine will form new drone units in the area, while existing units will continue expanding their capabilities. He did not elaborate on the details. Syrsky said he also reviewed reports on restoring combat readiness in units returning from missions and supplying them with new weapons and equipment, calling the resupply “one of our key priorities.” Modernizing the military command Syrsky also hinted at the growing roles of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) within the Ukrainian military. “It is the sergeants who form the backbone of a unit’s combat capability and serve as a crucial link between commanders and servicemen,” Syrsky said. He added that future commanders should primarily be selected from soldiers who have proven themselves in combat and demonstrated leadership qualities and authority among their comrades. Syrsky also announced a significant expansion of the unmanned component within these units. “This will significantly increase unit capabilities in reconnaissance, enemy engagement, and protection of designated areas of responsibility,” the statement says.