Ukraine: Army Chief of Staff Valery Zalouzhny dismissed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Thursday February 8 that he had appointed the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Oleksandr Syrsky, as the new Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Army to replace Valery Zalouzhny, ending several days of speculation around the future of the latter. Valery Zalouzhny, 50, was appointed in July 2021. His successes against the Russian army have earned him the adulation of his fellow citizens and the respect of his Western partners. But tension had been rising for several months between the president and him.
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, shakes hands with Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valery Zaluzhny during their meeting in Kyiv, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. AP
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The Ukrainian leader indicated that the time had come to make changes in military command, as the war against Russia enters its third
year. Via Telegram messaging, Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had spoken during the day with Valery Zalouzhny, whom he asked to “stay in his team”, so
that the general is considered by many Ukrainians as a national hero for having overseen the army's operations since the invasion launched by Russia on February 24, 2022.
“
We discussed the renewal that the army needs. We also discussed the identity of those who could be included in the renewed army command.
The time for this renewal has now come,” the Ukrainian president wrote.
In a separate statement, Defense Minister Roustem Umerov confirmed that a decision had been made to change the military command.
Valery Zalouzhny said for his part that he had had an “
important conversation
” with Volodymyr Zelensky during which they agreed to modify strategies on
front lines.
“
The missions of 2022 were different from the missions of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to the new realities. To win together
,” he said via Telegram messaging.
The press releases from Volodymyr Zelensky and Valery Zalouzhny were published within moments of each other, suggesting that the two key Ukrainian figures since the start of the war coordinated their announcements to send a message of unity.
In the process, Volodymyr Zelensky declared that he had chosen the head of the army, Oleksandr Syrsky, “
the most experienced general in Ukraine
”, to succeed him, but also asked him for a “
realistic
” plan for 2024.
Also read: Ukraine: the chief of staff wants better recruitment efficiency in the army
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