On February 9, it was officially announced that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the title of "Hero of Ukraine" to ex-commander-in-chief of AFU, Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi and chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), Lieut Gen Kyrylo Budanov.
Zaluzhnyi and Budanov were awarded the title of Heroes of Ukraine
It is stated in decrees 57 and 61 of the Head of State on the Office of the President's website.
For outstanding personal merits in the defence of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree: confer the title of Hero of Ukraine with the awarding of the "Gold Star" order to General Valerii Fedorovych Zaluzhnyi.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
The DIU chief, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, received a similar title.
...For the personal courage and heroism shown in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree: confer the title of Hero of Ukraine with the awarding of the Order of the Golden Star to Lieutenant General Kyrylo Oleksiyovych Budanov.
Resignation of Zaluzhnyi. What is essential to know
On the evening of February 8, it became officially known that the President of Ukraine dismissed Valerii Zaluzhnyi from the post of AFU Commander-in-Chief.
Despite this, the Ukrainian leader said he offered the general to stay in his team.
[I] met with General Valery Zaluzhnyi. He thanked for two years of protection of Ukraine. They discussed what kind of renewal the Armed Forces of Ukraine need. They also discussed who could be in the updated leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Zelenskyy wrote.
On the same day, the head of state appointed Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi as the new Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the President's Office, one of the reasons for the dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhnyi is the need to review the tactics of actions and prevent stagnation on the front line.
