After the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, the AFU Commander-in-Chief, Gen Valeryii Zaluzhnyi, was called the "Iron General" all over the world. On February 8, the President of Ukraine announced a change in the AFU leadership - Oleksandr Syrskyi was appointed to replace Zaluzhnyi as the new military chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Iron Ukrainian general is known all over the world
Valerii Zaluzhnyi is called a new type of military leader who has not studied at any Russian or Soviet military school.
Zaluzhnyi's education is entirely Ukrainian higher education of military orientation: first, he was educated at the Odesa Institute of Ground Forces, then he studied at the National Defence Academy, and after that, he entered the National Defense University of Ukraine, named after Ivan Chernyakhovskyi.
As the best graduate of the operational-strategic level of training, he was awarded the Queen of Great Britain's transitional sword.
And in 2020, he finished his master's degree at the Ostroh Academy. The general obtained all diplomas with honours.
By the time he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Zaluzhnyi had completed all stages of his military career. He also became the only commander-in-chief who actively participated in military operations. From July 2014, he was involved in the defence of Donbas, started his journey as a deputy commander and reached the position of chief of staff of the Joint Forces.
Zaluzhnyi is a consistent supporter of the fact that reforms in the army should come from the head:
The general course of reforming Ukraine's Armed Forces following the principles and standards of NATO remains irreversible. And the key here is principles. Changes should occur first in the worldview and attitude towards people. I would like you to turn your face to the people, to your subordinates. My attitude towards people has not changed throughout my service.
V. Zaluzhnyi
Former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
A symbol of the stability of the people of Ukraine
Zaluzhnyi is famous not only in the army and among the population of Ukraine but also abroad as a symbol of the resilience of the Ukrainian people in challenging times of war.
The American publication Politico called him the "Iron General" for the first time in April 2022 after the brilliant defeat of the Russian invader troops in the Kyiv region.
The general is the personification of a new generation of Ukrainian officers, which was formed during the 8-year war in Donbas and NATO exercises. The AFU managed to change the authoritarian essence created by the Soviet military academy, the media emphasised at the time.
And in September 2022, the influential Time magazine put a portrait of the leading Ukrainian military officer on the cover. It authoritatively emphasised that the Ukrainian army would hardly have achieved such success without its commander. Zaluzhny became the first Ukrainian military man to appear on the cover of the prestigious publication.
The British edition of the Financial Times noted that General Zaluzhnyi's extraordinary decisions regarding the conduct of hostilities helped Ukraine turn the tide of the war in its favour.
Meanwhile, retired British colonel Glen Grant believes that Zaluzhnyi was able to unite the military and became a great motivator for the entire Ukrainian nation.
Personal life of General Zaluzhnyi
Even in early interviews, the general said he likes communicating with children. Therefore, every photo of him with a Ukrainian child becomes viral. Zaluzhnyi also noted that even though, unfortunately, our children will know the enemy not from fairy tales, as an absolute evil that must be fought, Ukrainians will win:
We'll kill them all! He said confidently.
And in June 2023, the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief posted an online video of his work on military maps. Vigilant Ukrainians saw an unusual patch on his uniform - baby Yoda. This patch inspired creativity and controversy for many, but everyone noticed the analogy between Star Wars and the Jedi.
Meanwhile, the general's personal life often remains out of the picture because the family lives modestly. Zaluzhnyi is happily married to Olena for over 20 years, a financier at Ukrgasbank before the war. The general considers his wife his closest person and true soul mate. The couple has two daughters.
Kyiv offensive, counteroffensive in Kharkiv region and the Kherson's liberation
At a time when everyone was amazed at how Ukraine was fighting a much stronger enemy, particularly defending its capital, Zaluzhnyi said: "Kyiv will stand!" But he refused to blow up bridges across the Dnipro in Kyiv, which also played an essential role in public trust and, ultimately, in defence.
I appeal to the commanders - take care of the personnel! Carefully plan operations and immediately react to changes in the environment! Human life is our highest priority. This makes us radically different from the enemy, who does not even take away the bodies of their dead and is ready to litter our land with them in order to pave the way for an offensive, the general said in his address in March 2022.
The victory in the battle for Kyiv, as well as the defence of the north of Ukraine and Kharkiv, are considered to be the events that became the starting point for all subsequent successes, including the fact that, thanks to the coordinated actions of the Armed Forces, it was possible to drive the invaders from Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy regions by the end of April 2022.
His persistent preparation on the eve of the invasion and shrewd tactics of fighting in the early stages of the war helped the country repel the Russian onslaught, the Times confidently stated in its article, which was dedicated to Zaluzhnyi.
Subsequently, the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region, when the Ukrainian military managed to expel the Russians from the area, only fueled public faith and the respect of foreign partners. Then, the Armed Forces took advantage of the moment and launched a lightning counterattack, forcing the Russians to flee quickly, leaving behind military equipment and personal belongings.
Zelenskyy met with Zaluzhnyi
On February 8, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Valery Zaluzhnyi wrote about this in a telegram.
[I] met with General Valerii 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. The time for such an update is now. He offered Valery Fedorovych to continue in the team.
Later, it became known that Zelenskyy dismissed General Valerii Zaluzhnyi from the head of the Armed Forces and appointed Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ground Forces Commander, to this post.
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