Dismissal of Ukrainian general Valeriy Zaluzhny sparks protests in Kyiv
TV Belsat, citing the Ukrainian station Hromadske, reported that "dozens of people gathered in Independence Square in Kyiv, demanding the reinstatement of General Valeriy Zaluzhny."
3:57 PM EST, February 9, 2024
In footage released by the Ukrainian station, bystanders could be heard echoing the chant: "Zaluzhny - our president!".
As passions flared, the chants evolved into: "Zelensky, go away!".
In recent weeks, Ukrainian and Western outlets have buzzed with speculation over the likely removal of General Zaluzhny from his role as the commanding general of the army, a result of his conflict with President Zelensky.
The discord between the president and the former commander escalated as the war reached a stalemate. Disagreement over how the war was being waged created friction between Zelensky and Zaluzhny.
"The Economist" highlights that at the onset of the invasion, Zelensky expressed that "Ukraine puts more value on human life than on territory". Recently, however, he altered his stance, arguing that "the goal is to regain all occupied territories." As achieving this aim appeared increasingly elusive, Zelensky's impatience with Zaluzhny grew. "The president felt threatened by the general's popularity," it was reported.
The newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is Oleksandr Syrsky. The 58-year-old general is a Donbas battle-hardened veteran, having commenced his military career during the era of the Soviet Union.
