Even in Ukraine, no one knew him when he was appointed head of the Ukrainian army a year ago.

However, General Valery Zalouzhny has now become an icon of resistance to the Russian invasion.

So much so that for his 49th birthday in July, Ukrainians flooded social networks with praise and messages of love against him.

Indeed, the Ukrainians attribute to Valery Zalouzhny the failure of Russia's initial plan to bring down kyiv quickly at the start of its offensive launched on February 24.

As a result, children now mention his name in their games and the national edition of the fashion magazine Vogue even devoted an article to this “legendary figure”.

The Ukrainian press nicknamed him the “iron general”.

The one who restored confidence

“Thanks to Commander-in-Chief Zaloujny, our confidence in ourselves and in our victory has returned,” ex-Transport Minister Volodymyr Omelian congratulates himself on Facebook.

Indeed, the retreat of the Russian army in kyiv has brought to a record level of 97% the confidence of Ukrainians in the army, embodied by Valery Zaloujny.

US Time magazine named Zaluzhny one of the 100 most influential people in the world this year, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Valery Zaloujny has become the military spirit his country needed,” writes the American Chief of Staff Mark Milley, assuring that he “will remain in history”.

"This war will certainly not be a disgrace"

The "iron general" does not give interviews, but speaks on the networks.

The Russian plans for “Blitzkrieg, changing Ukraine's power and geopolitical orientation have been ruined.

No matter how difficult it is for us, (this war) will certainly not be a shame,” he wrote on Facebook two weeks after the start of the invasion.

For the analyst of the Ukrainian center Democracy House Anatoly Oktysiouk, Valery Zalouzhny is “competent and does not have this old Soviet mentality” typical of the Ukrainian general staff.

“He is patriotic, is not corrupt and has received a good education, especially in the West,” he notes.

Far from Soviet traditions, close to NATO standards

When Valery Zaloujny was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by President Zelensky in July 2021, his priority was to reform the army to move away from Soviet military traditions and closer to NATO standards. alliance that Ukraine aims to join.

Highlighting the key role of a young generation of officers with combat experience against separatists in the east, he urged the Ukrainian military command to "use all means" to "preserve the life and health" of their soldiers.

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