Ukraine’s defense chief Valery Zaluzhny has been deposed. This is confirmed by the Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, according to the AFP news agency.
The announcement came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi went out on social media and announced changes in the defense leadership after a meeting with Zaluzhny.
– We discussed the renewal of defense that Ukraine needs. We also discussed who could be part of the renewed leadership. The time for such renewal is now, Zelensky wrote.
New defense chief
Zelenskyi has appointed Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, as chief of defense, reports Reuters.
It is unclear what role Zaluzhnyi will have in the future.
– I suggested to General Zaluzhny that he remain part of the team, Zelensky writes.
In recent weeks, speculation has raged about Zaluzhny’s future.
A number of Western and Ukrainian media have reported that Zelenskyy had previously tried to fire Zaluzhnyj, but that the Ukrainian defense chief refused to step down.
This is what Zaluzhnyi says
Zelenskyy attached a photo of himself and Zaluzhny to the message in which he announced changes in the defense leadership.
Zaluzhny has published the same photo on the messaging service Telegram.
– In the first and most difficult days of the war, we stood together against a hideous and powerful enemy. We persevered together. Our battles continue and change daily. The tasks from 2022 are different from the tasks from 2024. Therefore, we must all change and adapt to the new reality. To win together as well, writes Zaluzhny.
Furthermore, he writes that he is grateful to Ukraine’s General Staff, the Ministry of Defense and the President.
– I am proud of everyone in the Ukrainian armed forces, who protect the future of our children, writes Zaluzhny.
Dagbladet updates the case.
2024-02-08 16:41:18
#Time #renewal
