Interesting move the new leader seems to be more ruthless.
NOS News • Yesterday, 5:46 PM • Amendedyesterday, 8:37 PM Ukrainian President Zelensky replaces top general Zaluzhny
General Valery Zaluzhny is no longer the highest commander of the Ukrainian army, Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote on Telegram. Zelensky reports that he has appointed commander of the army Oleksandr Syrsky as the new top boss.
In a message on It looks like a coordinated farewell, accompanied by a photo of the two, in which both are smiling.
In his daily video message, Zelensky explains his choice:
Zelensky says he has offered Zaluzhny to remain part of the military leadership. It is not clear whether the general will respond to this.
The Ukrainian Minister of Defense also reports that it has been decided to change the composition of the army leadership. "The war does not stay the same. A war is constantly changing and requires adjustments. New tactics and strategies are needed," said Minister Umerov.
Zaluzhny does not explicitly confirm his departure on Telegram. He does write that he "accepts that everyone must adapt to a new reality" and that there is indeed a need for a new approach to the war with Russia.
Neither Zaluzhny nor President Zelensky said anything about what that new approach or strategy is.
Opinion pieces Zaluzhny's position had become more shaky recently . After writing an opinion piece in the fall about the stalemate on the battlefield that caused a stir in Ukraine, he published an article on the CNN website last week. In it, he criticized, among other things, the Ukrainian mobilization policy. It was a sign that Zelensky and Zaluzhny could not agree on how to conduct the war against Russia.
The top general is still popular with the Ukrainian troops and has good contact with foreign military leaders. Some military analysts fear his dismissal will disrupt the Ukrainian military and possibly spark disagreement between the army and the Zelensky government. That could deter Western allies, while Kyiv desperately needs military support packages from the EU and the US, among others.
Experienced, but not loved The new top military official, Syrsky, previously led the defense of Kyiv and the counter-offensive at Kharkiv. He is experienced, but not liked by all Ukrainians, because he would sacrifice soldiers too easily on the battlefield.
The US State Department said in response to his appointment that it was a "sovereign choice" by the Ukrainian government. A White House spokesman said the Americans "will work with whoever is in charge of the Ukrainian military."
