Syrskyi, Budanov, Shyriaiev: Who Among Ukrainian Commanders Has Most Frequently Made It to the Global Top Media.

According to ТСН: A monitoring study by the Institute of Social and Political Design 'DIALOG' revealed how Ukrainian military figures influence 30 leading English-language global media outlets.

Leaders of the Ranking

According to analysts, Syrskyi tops the list with 45 publications, Budanov is second with 24 publications, and Shyriaiev comes in third with 21 publications. Media outlets that cited them included Fox News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Times, Reuters, The Guardian, and others.

Military Appearances

"Syrskyi explained to the Western audience the strategy for conducting combat operations and the operational situation, as well as provided arguments regarding the effectiveness of Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory. Budanov communicated with the media on topics that go beyond the traditional battlefield. His comments were about the 'war of the future' and Ukraine's asymmetric responses, specifically addressing issues of destabilizing Russia from within," researchers state.

Researchers note that Western journalists seek not only strategic assessments but also firsthand accounts from the battlefield. In 2025, such a voice became the commander of the 225th Airborne Assault Brigade, Oleh Shyriaiev.

"Shyriaiev met this demand, as he commented on combat engagements in Khursk, including with North Koreans, as well as in Ukraine. Even when he addresses President Trump on Fox News, urging the provision of Tomahawks, he does so through the lens of battlefield practice," the study states.

Throughout 2025, Western media also reached out to the commander of the SBS, Robert 'Madyar' Brody (3 publications), the commander of the Joint Forces, Mykola Drapaty (2 publications), and the commander of the Third Army Corps, Andrii Biletskyi (2 publications).

The research was conducted based on the global SCImago Media Rankings and covers the period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

The importance of such studies lies in the fact that they not only demonstrate the recognition of Ukrainian military personnel on the international stage but also shape perceptions of modern military strategies. These publications influence the understanding of the conflict worldwide, emphasizing Ukraine's role as an active player on the international political scene.