Arguing about the right strategy or offended vanities? In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief Valery Zalushnyj were once considered a successful tandem, but the military chief was ousted on Thursday. These are the backgrounds!
Zelenskyy cites the need for a “new impetus” and a “comprehensive restart” as the reason for the restructuring of the army leadership.
Nevertheless, the juicy internal information continues to flow: according to this, a meeting had already taken place at which the president suggested that the head of the armed forces resign, but he refused.
Fired army chief more popular than Zelensky
Zelenskyi apparently hesitated for a long time about firing the popular commander due to the negative public reaction. Observers see Saluzhnyj as the strategist behind the successful defense of Kiev in 2022 and the pushback of Russian troops from other occupied territories.
The next general had to retire on Friday
The next big bang followed on Friday: Major General Anatoly Barhilewych would become the new Chief of the General Staff, Zelensky announced in his evening video address. Barhilevich succeeds Serhiy Shaptala. The appointment took place at the proposal of the new Commander-in-Chief Olexander Syrskyj. This week, two of the most influential Ukrainian military officers were thrown out in one fell swoop.
Those involved previously fueled the speculation: amid the resignation rumors, Saluschnyj shared a photo with Shaptala on his birthday. “It will be very difficult for us, but no one has anything to be ashamed of,” he wrote about the recording.
Zelensky wants ‘new energy’
In an interview with Italian television, the president revealed what was bothering him. “If we want to win, we must all become leaders of victory,” he said, calling for a “comprehensive reset.” The head of state explained that he was not only interested in replacing the military leadership. He repeated the call for a restart in his video message on Monday. Ukraine needs “strength and new energy” to win.
The president apparently missed that with Saluschnyj after he spoke of a stalemate in November in a highly regarded interview and an essay for the British magazine ‘Economist’. “There will not be a deep and beautiful breakthrough,” Saluschnyj emphasized at the time, and he was right – at least to this day.
In doing so, the military shook up the president’s claim that the reconquest of Russian-occupied territories was both inevitable and possible. Zelenskyy then publicly contradicted his commander-in-chief and indirectly accused the general of political ambitions.
Reality proves the general right
But the reality is sobering. The Ukrainian summer offensive in the south of the country, launched with great expectations and Western military technology, has largely failed. Instead of advancing to the coast of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, the Ukrainian attacks became bogged down after a few kilometers in dense minefields, massive Russian artillery fire and drone strikes. To date, Kiev has not really acknowledged its failure.
Another point of contention is the recruitment of soldiers. At the annual press conference in December, Zelensky publicly blamed the military leadership for the increased mobilization.
Troop has personnel problems
The president even questioned the alleged need for half a million additional soldiers. “This is a very serious number. I need more arguments to support this,” he told the journalists present. The funding and purpose of such a high number are unclear. Bills for mobilization measures are stuck in parliament. There is no solution in sight to the force’s obvious personnel problem.
In another essay last Thursday on the website of the American broadcaster CNN, Saluschnyj took the opportunity to take a swipe at the political leadership. Regarding Russia’s relatively successful recruitment efforts, he wrote about the “inability of state institutions in Ukraine to increase the number of personnel in our armed forces without resorting to unpopular measures.” He accused Zelensky of not wanting to take responsibility for the necessary measures, fearing the anger of the people.
A general of the people
Zelensky’s critics see another reason for Saluschny’s expulsion on a personal level. Surveys show that the former actor’s popularity has long lagged behind that of the army chief. In December, only 62 percent trusted him. Saluschnyj, on the other hand, knew no less than 88 percent of those polled behind him. Zelensky cannot stand sharing the stage with others, complain observers such as military journalist Yuri Butussov.
Now the president’s office seemed to be looking for an opportune moment. According to former MP Ihor Mosiychuk, the threat of another defeat could serve as justification for the resignation.
It is about the loss of Avdiivka, i.e. the forced withdrawal from the city. The bad news from the front in the eastern Ukrainian industrial city makes it all the more likely that it will soon be captured by Russian troops.
People like to look at the Kremlin
Moscow is watching the power struggle in Kiev with great interest. However, for the Ukrainian defense against the Russian invasion, this conflict is a dangerous secondary theater of war.
It is paralyzing the Ukrainian armed forces, and the resignation of General Saluzhny, who is popular with his subordinates, could also significantly dampen the motivation of the fighters on the front. That would mean a much more serious loss for the further course of the war than a withdrawal from the small town of Avdiivka.
With broker material
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
