'Black Day for the Armed Forces of Ukraine' - Mixed Reactions in Ukraine Following Zaluzhny's Dismissal

President Zelensky, on Thursday, Feb. 8, announced the dismissal of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny.

"I met with General Valerii Zaluzhny. I thanked him for the two years of defending Ukraine," Zelensky said in a video address posted on his social media accounts.

Zaluzhny had led the Ukrainian army since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. He successfully defended against initial Russian attacks and managed to reclaim some of the occupied territories.

Oleksandr Syrsky, the former commander of the Ground Forces, has been appointed as the new commander-in-chief. Zelensky praised Syrsky as "the most experienced Ukrainian commander."

Kyiv Post brings to your attention reactions from public figures regarding these changes in Ukraine's military leadership.

"I trust that the authorities will provide the public with explanations for such changes," Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv

"I am grateful to General Valery Zaluzhny for his service to Ukraine and dedication to protecting our nation. Thanks to him, Ukrainians have placed genuine trust in our Armed Forces, which currently enjoy the highest level of public confidence.

As a combat general during the war, you faced numerous critical moments and made many difficult decisions. I am confident that you will navigate through this challenge with grace...

I trust that the authorities will provide the public with explanations for such changes.

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"The war is changing and requires change," Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine

"General Valery Zaluzhny had one of the most difficult tasks — to lead the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Great War with Russia...Our soldiers repelled the invasion of the aggressor, defended our statehood, and continued to defend our independence every day.

But the war does not remain the same. The war is changing and requires change. The fighting of 2022, 2023 and 2024 are three different realities. The year 2024 will bring new changes that we must be ready for. New approaches and new strategies are needed."

"The decision is made due to the need to reconsider the tactics of actions," Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

"The decision is made due to the need to reconsider the tactics of actions, which did not fully ensure the proper result last year, to prevent stagnation along the front line, which negatively affects public sentiment, to find new functional and high-tech solutions that allow to retain and develop the initiative, as well as to launch the process of reforming managerial principles in the army."

"A decision that has no military logic," Viktoria Siumar, Ukraine's People's Deputy and journalist

Ukraine lost today. Despite the seemingly "friendly "parting under a beautiful sauce of "updates. " However, following the "several-months-saga", it smells bad, a decision that has no military logic and carries political risks.

May God grant all wisdom…Valery Fedorovich-honor and gratitude. For Ukraine.

"Zaluzhny left his footprint in the modern history of Ukraine," Andriy Sadovyi, the Mayor of Lviv

"Whatever happens next. Zaluzhny left his footprint in the modern history of Ukraine, laid the foundation for our Victory. Gratitude and respect to the Commander-in-Chief and all military personnel defending Ukraine! Thank you for everything, Mr. General!"

"Zelensky made a huge mistake," Olexiy Honcharenko, People's Deputy

My attitude to Zaluzhny's resignation is very negative. Zelensky made a huge mistake, which can carry risks for the country. All of us will have to pay for this mistake. I won't keep silent.

"2024 will be successful for Ukraine," Oleh Synehubov, Head of the Military Administration of the Kharkiv region

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is an experienced commander who has successfully defended the Kyiv region and the brilliant Kharkiv liberation operation.

Oleksandr Stanislavovich, a hero of Ukraine, is an honorary citizen of the Kharkiv region. During his tenure as commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the operational-strategic group of troops "Khortytsia", Ukrainian soldiers drove the occupier out of our region. I will always remember those significant days when Oleksandr Syrsky made balanced and effective decisions.

General Valery Zaluzhny had one of the most difficult tasks — leading the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the early years of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian defenders gave the enemy a worthy rebuff and preserved their statehood.

2024 will be successful for Ukraine. We will do our best for this. Glory to Ukraine!"

"A black day for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Bohdan Butkevich, journalist and media analyst

"If Syrsky is a new approach, then Zelensky is a populist cheater. Hello, 'meat assaults' on the wishlist from Bankova. Which must finally kill the will to resist. And then freezing the war for the victory of Ze, given that there was no alternative. A black day for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And all the people.

"It's normal to change leadership, including military leaders," Denys Gorokhovskyi, political scientist

"But today, we can confidently state that this is normal. It's normal to change leadership, including military leaders. If you look at any prolonged military conflict, you'll see that such changes are common, and nothing surprises about it. The enemy attempted to exploit the situation, as did the opposition. Why? Because our media elevated Zaluzhny to an iconic status. Perhaps it was the right approach at the time; I'm not debating that. However, these are the consequences of such actions."

"Disgusting and shameful," Anatoly Hrytsenko, Former Minister of Defense of Ukraine

"We all saw how the protracted resignation of general Zaluzhny was prepared and took place — it was disgusting and shameful, with dirt and humiliation, nothing to do with changing the strategy or tactics of war — politicking, ratings and jealousy. I want to thank General Zaluzhny for his loyalty to Ukraine in an extremely difficult time, for his efforts in repelling aggression, for his remarkable endurance and ability to work with clenched teeth even when he was ignored and humiliated in the presence of subordinates for more than a year and a half, when through his head and without his knowledge, violating the principle of unity of command and the vertical of military control, they gave orders to his subordinates.

I want to wish success, strength and endurance to the newly appointed General Syrsky, no matter how anyone treats him. You can't envy him. There is no money, no equipment, no ammunition, no desire to fight — and at the same time they expect a new strategy and new big victories from him."