Reports indicate that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may dismiss General Valery Zaluzhny, the highly approved Chief Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. General Viktor Nikoliuk, Commander of the Training Department at Ground Forces Command, and others have discussed the potential appointment of Kyrylo Budanov as Zaluzhny's successor. This comes after secret polls by Zelensky's office suggested leveraging Budanov's popularity against Zaluzhny's independent stance. Analysts express concern over Zaluzhny's rumored replacement, especially given the uninspiring reputation of UA Ground Forces commander Syrski among troops and analysts. Ukrainian journalist Yurii Butusov reports the presidential order firing Zaluzhny is signed, with Zelensky consulting foreign partners before making an official announcement. Ukrainian TV and senior Ukrainian officials, including those cited by Fox News, are openly discussing Zaluzhny's resignation, with some denials of his firing.
Ukrainian TV is openly discussing the resignation of Zaluzhny. https://t.co/ULNWnym93O
Fox News now citing senior Ukrainian officials also denying reports Zaluzhny has been fired tonight: https://t.co/Ddcanvy9KQ
If you ask me, the dismissal of General Zaluzhny would be, of course, a massive shot not only in the leg but also in the head, right there. Zaluzhny has his reputation as an iron general and the national Salvator, the embodiment of the Ukrainian armed forces that saved this…
If you ask me, the dismissal of General Zaluzhny would be, of course, a massive shot not only in the leg but also in the head, right there. Zaluzhny has his reputation of an iron general and the national salvator, the embodiment of the Ukrainian armed forces that saved this…
President Zelenskiy may dismiss the army chief who has led Ukrainian armed forces through nearly two years of war, according to Interfax-Ukraine https://t.co/fcWGApfhvX
Ukrainian journalist Yurii Butusov (a Zaluzhny ally who often criticizes Zelensky) says the presidential order firing Zaluzhny is already signed, but Ze is allegedly “consulting foreign partners” before announcing the decision officially. https://t.co/SqGgnJWEuu
From June 2023: “secret polls conducted by Zelensky’s office show they are thinking about using the cult of [Kyrylo Budanov] to counterbalance a perceived rivalry emanating from Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s likeable and independent commander-in-chief.” https://t.co/WiZa8MKskM
#BREAKING Rumors claim Kyrylo Budanov has been appointed as the new commander in chief of Ukrainian Army. https://t.co/Sy0mbEDjbR
Gen Zaluzhny is not only Ukraine’s Chief Commander but has currently the highest approval rates in Ukraine according to polls. https://t.co/qVbpHn3fZ3
This is a wild development, and potentially quite concerning for Ukraine. Zaluzhny had frequently feuded with Zelensky's office in recent months, who largely favour UA Ground Forces commander Syrski - a man with a, let's say, uninspiring reputation among analysts and troops. https://t.co/ja7DIe2BYX
Looks like the commander of Ukrainian forces is going to be held responsible for the mistakes of a president who made feckless and foolish military decisions over the general's head throughout the entirety of 2023. This does not bode well for Ukraine https://t.co/D0sCtmqDEq
Zaluzhny is on his way out. A huge change of command at a key moment in the war. See his essay for us a few months ago: https://t.co/H2SjN0Ef6V https://t.co/BplAozUly9
I’m told by Ukrainian govt source that reports of the firing of top general Valery Zaluzhny look to be true. We await confirmation by presidential order - but this appears to be a done deal.
From Ukrainian Major General Viktor Nikoliuk, Commander of the Training Department at Ground Forces Command. https://t.co/vFK1H7jjgp https://t.co/hME4Q79yB9 https://t.co/HezuMoUlEJ