January 29, 2024
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi may have been dismissed on Jan. 29, according to sources of the Kyiv Independent and several other Ukrainian media.
No official decree has been published on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s website yet.
A Kyiv Independent source in the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed that Zaluzhnyi was fired. The source wasn’t authorized to speak to the press.
Neither Zaluzhnyi nor Zelensky have made any public comments yet.
Zelensky’s spokesman Sergii Nykyforov told the Kyiv Independent at 7:50 p.m. on Jan. 29 that Zaluzhnyi wasn’t dismissed.
The news was first reported in the early evening of Jan. 29 by a group of anonymous Telegram channels, including some that have reported insider information coming from the Presidential Office of Ukraine before. At the same time, Telegram channels have been known to report misleading stories and spread misinformation.
Ukrainian media, including the Kyiv Independent, have been trying to confirm the news about Ukraine’s top commander’s firing. The sources, all speaking on condition of anonymity, have been providing contradicting responses.
Zaluzhnyi served as Commander-in-Chief since July 2021. Reports first surfaced in November 2023 about disagreements between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi.
The alleged disagreement between the two received increased attention following Zaluzhnyi’s interview on the state of the war for The Economist on Nov. 1, in which he said there was a danger that Ukraine was walking into the trap of a prolonged war.
Zelensky said he disagreed with this sentiment during a briefing on Nov. 4.
Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda then reported on Dec. 4 that Zelensky was allegedly “bypassing” Zaluzhnyi in communication with some military commanders, citing anonymous sources.
President Zelensky said during a press conference on Dec. 19 that he has a “working relationship” with Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, responding to a question about their alleged dispute.
“He and the General Staff (of Ukraine’s Armed Forces) are responsible for the situation on the battlefield. There are many issues to address there,” Zelensky said during a press conference.
A December 2023 poll found that 43% of Ukrainians believe that there may be some disagreements between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi, but only 8% believed the situation was very serious.
The poll also showed that Zaluzhnyi has a 92% trust rating, making him the country’s most trusted military leader, and that an overwhelming majority (72%) of Ukrainians would disapprove of him being replaced.
“The poll also showed that Zaluzhnyi has a 92% trust rating, making him the country’s most trusted military leader, and that an overwhelming majority (72%) of Ukrainians would disapprove of him being replaced.”
If true, I hope that Zelensky has a VERY good reason to take such a drastic step. Otherwise, things could get quite uncomfortable.
I can’t begin to imagine what he’s been through the last 2 years, God bless him what ever he decides to do.
I was told by my people in Kyiv that it’s not true.
Good, imo its not wise to change horses midstream.
Concerning, IF true. But I wouldn’t put too much trust in reports by the Kyiv Independent. Those guys have a very unpatriotic, anti-government attitude, imho. And their site is suspiciously more dedicated to hyping up scandals than supporting the war efforts. So, don’t rely on them, they may even be paid for by Russia. IF Zaluzhnyi has been replaced, this will be obvious very soon anyway.
The source was anonymous Telegram channels, not exactly a reliable source.
Being critical does not automatically mean being paid for by Muscovy. Every government needs critics and opposition. I’m also opposed to Zelensky’s corrupt mafia but 100% supportive of the Ukrainian Army.
Well, I think you’re overdoing it a bit. They never made the report sound that it’s a done deal. IMHO, the KI wants to be a serious news provider, and bringing bad news or uncovering embarrassing situations is all part of this type of business.
“The news was first reported in the early evening of Jan. 29 by a group of anonymous Telegram channels”
Meaning mafia land. I’m sure Zelensky isn’t so stupid as to remove the best military leader by far in this war. If he has, he needs to be removed himself, this is no time for petty politics, we can leave that to the US.
Zelensky should never be in office to begin with. Zaluzhny is the best man, as was Petro Poroshenko.
My people in Kyiv told me that it’s not true.
Sorry to hear this.
If confirmed, this is something that will cause even more stress to the valiant defenders and of course the many Ukrainians who revere the General. It was Zel who originally talent-spotted and promoted this excellent man of course.
The Economist interview was extremely ill-judged, providing information and opinions that were helpful to the enemy.
It is vital that these two don’t become enemies.
In wartime, this sort of thing happens unfortunately.
Zel already made one mistake; albeit much less serious, with the hiring of the unstable and ultimately treacherous Oleksii Arestovich. He can’t afford too many more.
Especially when he has such an implacable and dangerous supplementary enemy in the form of the magaputler shitheads doing their damnedest to help putler.
Fortunately there are some excellent candidates for his replacement. Having followed the career of General Dmytro Marchenko, I would think he is likely to be in the frame.
My people in Kyiv say that it’s not true.
Zelenskyy’s office denies Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi has been dismissed:
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
Better yet.