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Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the dismissal of Ukraine’s top commander, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, in the biggest military shakeup since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion almost two years ago. Oleksandr Syrskyi will become Ukraine's new military chief, in a consequential move by Zelensky. Launched last June, Ukraine’s counteroffensive in particular aimed to push south towards the Sea of Azov, splitting Russia’s forces in two and cutting its land bridge to Crimea. Despite the failure of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, the now-former military chief remains one of the most popular leaders in the country. With Ukraine’s independence in 1991, he rose through the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces becoming a Major General in 2009.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Zelensky, Zaluzhnyi, “, ” Zelensky, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zaluzhnyi –, –, , ”, Syrskyi Organizations: Ukraine CNN, Armed Forces, Ukrainian Land Forces, CNN, Economist, Zelensky, Ukraine’s, Kyiv Institute of Sociology, Analysts, Soviet Union Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Azov, Crimea, Orikhiv, Tokmak, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Soviet, Moscow, Ukrainian

☆ Zelensky considers a major shakeup of Ukraine’s leadership, beyond expected ouster of military chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Pierre Meilhan | Andrew Carey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Zelensky did not offer clarify who would be replaced, but his comments come amid speculation over the future of army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The army chief had suggested that the drafting of up to half a million additional soldiers was required, which Zelensky resisted. That operation began in June and was aimed at driving Russian forces back from the territories they have occupied since 2022, particularly in the south of the country. Zalzhnyi’s ouster would also be a politically risky move for Zelensky, given the general’s immense popularity has survived counteroffensive’s failure. A poll published by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology in December found 88% of Ukrainians supported the army chief compared to 62% for the President.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, ” Zelensky, Valerii, Zaluzhnyi, Republicans hewing, Donald Trump, Serhiy Nykyforov, Zalzhnyi, Zalzhnyi’s, CNN’s Joshua Berlinger Organizations: CNN, RAI, European Union, Republicans, Kyiv Institute of Sociology Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Azov, Crimea, Zaluzhnyi, European, Washington

On Monday, presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov told CNN and others that rumors of the army chief’s dismissal were untrue. Two names in particular are being discussed as possible successors, one of the sources, a senior military commander, told CNN. The other frontrunner is Oleksandr Syrskyi, currently the Commander of Ukrainian Land Forces, the senior military commander speaking to CNN said. Zelensky did not openly criticize Zaluzhny, but told a live news conference in December: “I am waiting for very concrete things on the battlefield. One soldier contacted by CNN currently fighting around Avdiivka in the east said any decision to dismiss Zaluzhny was a mistake.

Persons: Ukraine CNN —, Valery Zaluzhny, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zaluzhny, Serhiy Nykyforov, “, Zelensky, –, Rustem Umerov, ” Zelensky, Kyrylo, Budanov, Oleksandr Syrskyi, ” Zaluzhny, ” Ihor Zhovkva, ”, ’ Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, Zelensky, Economist, Defense, Defense Intelligence, Ukrainian Land Forces, Kyiv Institute of Sociology, ” Reuters Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Orikhiv, Azov, Crimea, Tokmak, Avdiivka

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