In the largest change to Kyiv’s military leadership since Russia’s incursion over two years ago, Ukraine’s senior commander, Valery Zaluzhny, was ousted from his position on Thursday.
Since the beginning of the battle, the well-liked general has led the Ukrainian army, successfully repelling an invasion force that was far stronger than it was in the early going.
However, the collapse of a highly acclaimed counteroffensive in the previous summer and a public clash with Volodymyr Zelensky, the leader of Ukraine, damaged his standing in the president’s office.
“Today we had a frank discussion about what needs to change in the army. Urgent changes,” Zelensky said in a statement on social media.
“I have offered General Zaluzhny to continue to be part of the team of the Ukrainian state,” Zelensky wrote, adding: “I would be grateful for his consent.”
Zelensky declared that Oleksandr Syrsky, who led Ukraine’s quick counteroffensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in the fall of 2022, will succeed Zaluzhny.
