Ukrainian President Zelensky appointed former military chief Valery Zaluzhny as Ukraine's ambassador to Britain, following reports of strained relations between the two. Zaluzhny's popularity in Ukraine rivals that of the president, and the move is seen as a way to keep him in an influential role while removing him from battlefield decision-making. Meanwhile, French President Macron's recent remarks suggest a shift in France's position on supporting Ukraine, with increased rhetoric about the West's responsibility to help Ukraine defeat Russia.
Ukraine appoints former army chief Valery Zaluzhny as its ambassador to the U.K., following his removal from the commander-in-chief position, with President Zelensky expressing confidence in strengthening the alliance with Britain. Zaluzhny, known as the "Iron General," led the Ukrainian army during the conflict with Russia but faced criticism after a failed counteroffensive and disagreements with Zelensky, leading to his replacement by Oleksandr Syrsky.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has replaced his top general, Valery Zaluzhny, with senior ground forces commander Oleksandr Syrsky in a significant military shake-up. The move comes amid struggles to replenish ammunitions and political infighting over funding for Ukraine's defense. Zelenskyy's decision follows speculation of disagreements over war strategy and Zaluzhny's political ambitions. Syrsky, credited with preventing Russian troops from taking over Kyiv, faces concerns about troop support due to his willingness to sacrifice lives on the front lines. Despite concerns, the U.S. National Security Council expressed confidence in Ukraine's stability following the change.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed plans to reshuffle Ukraine's military and political leadership, sparking speculation about the future of army chief Valery Zaluzhny. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a "reset" and denied that the changes were about a single person, but rather the direction of the country's leadership. Tensions between Zelenskyy and Zaluzhny have been publicized, with reports suggesting Zaluzhny may be replaced by Oleksandr Syrsky or Kyrylo Budanov.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is expected to dismiss army chief Valery Zaluzhny following tensions over the war with Russia, despite denials from the president's office. Zaluzhny's popularity remains high, but his description of the conflict as a stalemate has reportedly strained his relationship with Zelensky. The dismissal comes after Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces made modest gains, leading to a call for a large-scale mobilization effort. Potential successors for the top military position are being discussed, including Kyrylo Budanov and Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and the President's Office have denied reports of the firing of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, following social media rumors and conflicting statements from politicians and journalists. Zaluzhny, who has been at the center of speculation about his position, has been credited with implementing a flexible structure within the Ukrainian Armed Forces and shaping the country's military strategy. Despite rumors of a divide between Zaluzhny and the president, both generals claim to trust each other implicitly and are focused on winning the war against Russia.
Listening devices have been discovered in the offices of Ukraine's top commanding general, Valery Zaluzhny, and other military officials. The military did not indicate who might have placed the bugs or what conversations may have been recorded. The devices were found during a routine inspection, and it is unclear how long they had been in place. The Ukrainian security service has opened a criminal investigation into the incident. This discovery comes amid rising tensions between Zaluzhny and President Volodymyr Zelensky, following Zaluzhny's remarks about the stalemate in the war with Russia. Ukrainian military officials are aware of the risk of surveillance and interception of conversations, with leaked information and military secrets becoming public in the past.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is accused of undermining the military chain of command by directly communicating with certain commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) and bypassing Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny. This alleged behavior is said to impede Zaluzhny's ability to effectively lead the UAF, creating demotivation and preventing him from commanding the entire army. Zelensky's establishment of parallel communication channels disrupts the normal chain of command and has led to unintended consequences, including a decline in mobilization. The apparent rift between Zelensky and Zaluzhny has gained attention, but officials from the President's Office deny any conflict.
General Valery Zaluzhny, the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is frustrated with the lack of resources, including modern fighter jets and artillery shells, needed for Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian occupation. He has expressed his concerns to his American counterpart, Gen. Mark A. Milley, and emphasizes the urgency of receiving the necessary weapons. Zaluzhny also highlights the importance of air superiority and questions whether Ukraine should follow NATO's or Russia's doctrine in offensive operations. Despite challenges, Zaluzhny remains determined to carry out Ukraine's counteroffensive and minimize the possible consequences of the conflict.
