Zelensky dismisses Ukraine's army chief Zaluzhny, replaces with ground forces commander Syrsky

After weeks of speculation, Ukraine’s top commander Valery Zaluzhny, who has led Kyiv’s forces nearly two years into the Russian invasion, has been removed from his post,President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Thursday (Feb 8) in the biggest shake-up of the Ukrainian military leadership amid the ongoing war.

Zaluzhny dismissed and replaced

“Today, a decision was made to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am sincerely grateful to Valery Fedorovych (Zaluzhny) for all his achievements and victories,” Defence Minister Rustem Umerovsaid in a post on social media.

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The shake-up which saw Zaluzhny’s ouster, who has led Ukraine’s forces against one of the most powerful armies in the world amid the ongoing invasion, follows months of speculation about a rift between him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“As of today, a new management team takes over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” said Zelensky named Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky who was the head of Ukraine’s ground forces, as the new army chief.

The Ukrainian president also said that he met with Zaluzhny on Thursday and told him that the time had come for changes in the military leadership, but that Kyiv’s top general should remain “on his team”.

“I have offered General Zaluzhny to continue to be part of the team of the Ukrainian state. I would be grateful for his consent,” said Zelensky.

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Meanwhile, Zaluzhny, in his statement said that he had an “important and serious conversation” with Zelensky and that a decision had been made to change battlefield tactics and strategy.

“The tasks of 2022 are different from the tasks of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to new realities as well. To win together too,” it added.

‘Iron General’

Zelensky’s dismissal of Ukraine’s top general is a big gamble as Zaluzhny’s ouster, known by some as the “Iron General,” could affect the morale of the troops fighting on the country’s 1,000-kilometre frontline.

Zaluzhny also remains popular in Ukraine as under him Ukrainian forces retook almost half of Russia-occupied regions in Ukraine in 2022. Additionally, polling surveys, as per Reuters, put the public’s trust in the top general at over 90 per cent.

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Syrsky, who commanded Ukraine’s lightning Autumn 2022 counter-offensive in the Kharkiv region, will take Zaluzhny’s place, said the Ukrainian president.

It also seems like Syrsky has his work cut out for him, as he is taking over the leadership of the Ukrainian forces amid uncertainty over more aid from the United States and a perceived deadlock in the war.

(With inputs from agencies)

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