Amid a growing threat from Belarus, Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU) are planning to form new brigades to ensure they can repel a potential offensive, according to AFU’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky. Syrsky told local media LIGA.net on Thursday that Russian forces, having failed to achieve decisive success on the main fronts, are now seeking to expand active combat operations in northern Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. According to him, Moscow’s plan could increase the active frontline by approximately 160 kilometers (99 miles). Russia currently maintains an advantage in manpower and weaponry, making the formation of additional Ukrainian brigades necessary to defend vulnerable areas. “The enemy has adjusted its plans and intends to create new divisions and five brigades this year. We are forced to respond to such actions. In war, you either seize the initiative or surrender it. There is no third option,” he said. Responding to questions about why Ukraine is creating new brigades instead of simply reinforcing existing ones, Syrsky said expanding brigade size would not solve the problem of frontline coverage. According to him, a brigade “cannot be stretched.” While increasing personnel may extend a brigade’s combat endurance, allowing it to hold positions for longer, it does not enable it to control a larger area. Syrsky said the nature of the war has changed, with the frontline now expanding not only in width but also in depth.