The long-running dispute between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces General Valery Zalozny quickly went from simmering to boiling point in November, showing the world how divided the top echelons of the country's defense are.
General Zalozny wrote an article in which he said that the war “was a stalemate.” He was harshly criticized by the presidential office, and one of his top aides was fired in apparent retaliation.
Read: Tension in Kiev: Zelensky publicly criticizes Supreme Commander Zalozhny for his statement that the war is “at a stalemate,” and fires his top deputy
Afterwards, Kiev supporters watched in amazement as Zelensky's men staked out Zalozny's office, and the young general's aide and friend were killed in a terrorist attack with a gift bomb.
Then it emerged that Zelensky was bypassing the “Supreme Commander” and giving orders directly to battlefield commanders.
Read: Russian media: Chastyakov, assistant and friend of Kiev military commander Zalozhny, was killed in a “gift bomb” terrorist attack by their compatriots in the Ukrainian General Intelligence Directorate
Meanwhile, Zalozny criticized Kiev's expulsion of conscription chiefs, and refused to bear the political burden of recruiting half a million new soldiers to rebuild the devastated Ukrainian forces.
So, yesterday (29), after months of speculation about his fate, Zelensky finally offered a “new role” to the general. The four-star military man nicknamed the “Iron General” rejected the “offer” and is widely expected to be fired at any moment.
The Financial Times reported:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to replace his top general in what would be the biggest change in Ukrainian military leadership since the start of the large-scale Russian invasion two years ago.
Zelensky on Monday offered Valery Zalozny, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, a new role as defense adviser, but the general declined, according to four people familiar with the discussions.
Read: MSM lifts the veil on the undeclared Ukrainian civil war between President Zelensky and General Zalozny
Financial Times sources say that Zelensky made it clear to Zalozny that he would be removed from his current position.
“On Monday, Zelensky's spokesman, Serhiy Nikiforov, and the Defense Ministry denied reports about Zalozny's dismissal. The ministry wrote on its Telegram channel: “Dear journalists, we answer everyone immediately: No, this is not true,” without providing additional context. The president's office declined further comment on Tuesday.
Zalozny's dismissal could cause a major uproar within the Ukrainian military establishment, as well as among civil society, among which he enjoys enormous support.
Read: Zelenskyy vs. Zalozny: Infighting escalates as president issues orders directly to the battlefield, bypassing much higher-rated general than him
Ukrainian opinion polls reveal what is probably the crux of the matter: more people trust Zalozny than Zelensky.
“Zalozny’s replacement could alarm Ukraine’s Western partners, including military officials who have worked closely with the general over the past two years to devise battlefield strategies.”
Read: Low morale grips Ukrainian forces as Russians grow stronger – Bridgehead across the Dnieper River “Suicide mission” – Army Commander Zalozhny’s office exposed to wiretapping by Russia or Zelensky
Zalozny did not comment on reports of his dismissal.
“The two possible candidates are Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, and Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the country’s Military Intelligence Directorate. Both men are close to Zelensky.”
The Economist reported:
The ouster of one of Ukraine's most popular figures would be highly controversial and would represent a pivotal moment in Ukraine's conflict with Russia.
[…] The dramatic day began with leaks from MPs, who were informed, perhaps strategically, of a “package of documents” being sent to a security committee for signature. Later, sources in the General Staff close to General Zalozny confirmed that a change was being worked on. The Economist was able to confirm that a meeting took place early in the evening in which the president informed his general that he had decided to dismiss him. Zalozny was offered another role: Secretary of the National Security Council. He refused.”
Ultimately, this disagreement is seen as devastating for both men, and the differences between Ukraine's political and military leadership are unsettling for Ukraine's allies.
“The battle over General Zalozny’s future is unlikely to increase the likelihood of renewed funding, as the commander is highly regarded in the West.”
Read: Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief criticizes the president’s dismissal of mobilization leaders, as the dispute between Zelensky and Zalozny spirals out of control
Meanwhile, Russian forces regained the initiative, firing at least five times as many shells as their enemy, and making territorial gains in the east of the country.
“Mr. Zelensky is not the only person to have noticed his general's popularity. Prominent opposition figures, who had so far been marginalized by the need for national unity, have begun to join forces with General Zalozny. This process has accelerated in recent weeks as rumors grow about the general's ouster. The former president hastened to, Petro Poroshenko, who has little love for his successor, sought to exploit the chaos: “Zalozny’s dismissal, if true, would strike at the core of national unity,” he wrote.
Dismissing a man as popular among his soldiers and the general public as the general “involves political and military risks.”
“It is not clear how this story will end. But if Zelensky keeps his top commander in place, he will appear weak. If he fires him, the clumsy way in which the matter was handled will only damage confidence in the leadership. As is the case in many Sometimes in this struggle, there are no easy victories.
Read more:
Ukraine will mobilize half a million new citizens for war in highly unpopular move – President Zelensky and General Zalozny blame each other's 'hot potato'
