Zelensky said other commanders are being considered for promotions, as several generals are expected to ousted along with Zaluzhny. Zelensky said he’s asked Zaluzhny to remain as part “of the team of the Ukrainian state of the future.”
In posts on both Zelensky’s and Zaluzhny’s social media accounts, the two men posed shaking hands and smiling. “A decision was made about the need to change approaches and strategy,” Zaluzhny wrote.
Zelensky’s post said that he “thanked” Zaluzhny, 50, for “two years of protecting Ukraine.” He added that in their meeting Thursday, they discussed “updated leadership” for Ukraine’s military.
“The time for such an update is now,” Zelensky wrote.
It’s unclear how Syrsky’s appointment will change what’s become an increasingly perilous situation for Ukraine on the battlefield. Russia has regained the strategic initiative, increasing its attacks along the front line. Commanders have said they’re badly lacking troops, especially infantry that stand in the forward-most trenches and repel Russian assaults. And Ukraine is also facing ammunition shortages, as a $60 billion security assistance package proposed by President Biden has stalled in Congress.
