Dramatic Shakeup: Zelensky Fires Ukraine’s Army Chief

By Staff, Agencies

In a dramatic shakeup, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky replaced on Thursday a popular army chief with his ground forces commander on Thursday.

The move is widely regarded as a gamble at a time when Russian forces are reported to be gaining the upper hand, some two years into the war.

The decision follows months of speculation about a rift between Zelensky and army chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, who many Ukrainians see as a national hero.

Zelensky posted a photograph of himself with Zaluzhnyi captioned with the following statement: “I thanked him for the two years of defending Ukraine. We discussed the renewal that the armed forces of Ukraine require. We also discussed who could be part of the renewed leadership of the armed forces of Ukraine. The time for such a renewal is now. I proposed to Gen Zaluzhnyi to remain part of the team.”