2024-01-31 12:54:00
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to depose the commander of the Ukrainian army Valery Zaluzheny, it was reported in the last few days in several major media outlets in Ukraine and in the West. According to a report in the “Financial Times”, Zaluzheny’s ouster is expected to be “the biggest shock in Ukraine since the Russian invasion”, a month before its two-year anniversary.
According to reports, Zelensky informed Zaluzheny of his decision at a meeting held between the two on Monday, and offered the Ukrainian chief of staff the position of senior military adviser, but Zaluzheny reportedly rejected the offer. According to another report, he was offered the position of ambassador in one In the meeting between the two, according to several sources, Zelensky made it clear to him that even in the event that he decides to reject any and all positions offered to him – the decision regarding the termination of his position as army commander has already been made.
Valery Zaluzheny, commander of the Ukrainian army Photo: Reuters
A few days ago, an official denial was published by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense regarding the reports in Ukraine about Zalozheny’s dismissal. The denial also came against the background of several reports that Defense Minister Rustam Umarov may end his post. In any case, no official announcement has yet been made about the dismissal of the army commander, but it is believed that this is only a matter of time.
Zelensky’s decision to fire Zaluzheny comes against the background of many reports of personal and political tension between the two, and against the background of growing voices of criticism in the Ukrainian public against the president, who was previously considered an unusually popular figure. Zaluzheny, who has led the Ukrainian army since the Russian invasion and won a series of great operational successes with him, also receives great sympathy, and is considered by some commentators to be a tangible political threat to Zelensky. In the days when Zelenskiy is facing criticism for the decision not to hold presidential elections during wartime, Zaluzheny’s name has been mentioned as a potential contender.
According to a report in the Washington Post, the main reason for Zaluzheny’s dismissal is a dispute between him and Zelensky about the need to recruit hundreds of thousands more Ukrainian citizens into the ranks of the army. In December, Zelensky revealed that the army under the command of Zaluzheny asked him to recruit another half a million new soldiers – which caused a great panic in the Ukrainian public. Now it appears that this issue is becoming a major bone of contention at the top in Kiev.
Commander of the Ukrainian Army Valery Zaluzheny with President Zelensky Photo: Reuters
During the last six months, criticism of Zelensky on the one hand, and of the army command on the other hand – following the failure of the Ukrainian army in the counterattack that began in the summer – has increased greatly. In Ukraine, they insist that the war has not turned into a “frozen” and static conflict, and expect further progress. According to reports in the American media, the White House does not expect operational successes from Ukraine on the battlefield in 2024. Against the background of recent criticism and failures, it is evident that the ground has become fertile for personal conflicts.
In Russia, they look at the reports and developments in Ukraine with great interest, saying that this indicates “problems with the leadership in Kiev”. At the same time as the reports of Zaluzheny’s removal, assessments also began about the identity of his replacement. The leading name mentioned as a possible candidate for the position is Kirylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, whose name was also previously mentioned as a candidate for the position of defense minister.
For the first time in operational use: the advanced armament that the Pentagon transferred to Kiev
The blow to the Ukrainian elite of Zaluzheny’s removal comes as Ukraine struggles to deal with the Russian threat – while the US continues to discuss the fate of aid to Kiev. Against the background of the delay in approving the support, due to the condition of the Republicans that aid to Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel be tied to agreements on immigration issues on its southern border of the US, the Pentagon sent important security assistance to Ukraine today. According to a Politico report, the Americans provided Ukraine with advanced GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) bombs for the first time – after announcing the transfer of this weapon nearly a year ago.
Commander of the Ukrainian Army Valery Zaluzheny with President Zelensky Photo: Reuters
In February 2023, the US announced the transfer to Ukraine of the advanced weaponry, effective for a range of 145 km, but clarified that it is a means of warfare that is still in the development stages. Only recently were all tests completed and all approvals received, and today it is supplied to Ukraine for the first time. This is a means of warfare that has not yet been tried in operational use.
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