Valery Zaluzhny dismissed. There is a new commander of the Ukrainian army

Volodymyr Zelensky announced that General Oleksandr Syrski has become the new head of the Ukrainian army. Earlier, the president met with the current commander-in-chief, General Valery Zaluzhny. He said that he offered the soldier to "stay in the team".

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that General Oleksandr Syrski would be the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.

"Starting today, a new management team will take over the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine"
he declared.

Zelensky held discussions with five military personnel, including brigadier generals Andriy Hnatov, Mykhailo Drapatij, and Ihor Skybiuk, as well as colonels Pavlo Palisa and Vadym Sukharevsky. He noted that they are being considered for “command positions”.

Zelensky's Meeting with Zaluzhny

On social media, Zelensky announced that he had met with General Valery Zaluzhny, the current commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The politician expressed gratitude to Zaluzhny for his two years of service in defending the country.

"We discussed the renewal needed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We also deliberated on who could be part of the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine", he wrote.

"The time for such renewal is now. I proposed to General Zaluzhny to remain in the team", he added.

Dismissal of Valery Zaluzhny: General's Statement

Zaluzhny commented on the situation via social media.

"In the initial, most challenging days of the great war, we confronted a vile and formidable enemy. Our struggle continues, evolving daily", he wrote.

He acknowledged that the objectives for 2022 differ from those for 2024. "Therefore, everyone must adapt to new realities to achieve victory together", he stressed.

He described the discussion with Zelensky as significant. "A decision was reached to alter the approach and strategy," he added. He expressed gratitude to all members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and honored the fallen soldiers. He affirmed Ukraine's determination to prevail in the war with Russia.

Rustem Umerov: War is Evolving and Requires Adaptation

"General Valery Zaluzhny faced one of the most daunting tasks: leading the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the great war with Russia", observed Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in a Facebook post.

The politician acknowledged that the Ukrainian army has repelled the Russian invasion, but continues to fight for "their land and nation."

"War is evolving and demands changes. The battles of 2022, 2023, and 2024 represent three distinct realities," he wrote, emphasizing the necessity for a new strategy.

"Today, a decision was made regarding the need to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am sincerely grateful to Valery Fedorovich Zaluzhny for all his achievements and victories," he concluded.

Volodymyr Zelensky: A Fresh Start is Imperative

On Monday, Zelensky asserted that "undoubtedly, a reset, a fresh start is necessary." - When we discuss this, I refer to the replacement of managerial personnel in the country, not just in the military sector - he stated in an interview with Italian Rai. The statement sparked speculations of the imminent resignation of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General Valery Zaluzhny.

There have been longstanding rumors that the President of Ukraine intends to remove General Valery Zaluzhny from his position. Bloomberg disclosed last week that the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had refused to resign.