‘Before calling for resignation, Zelensky did not allow Zaluzhny to withdraw troops from Avdiivka’, – Bild

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did indeed intend to dismiss the Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, but was opposed by Kirill Budanov and Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom the media referred to as his possible successors.

This is reported by Bild, citing sources.

According to their information, Zaluzhny wanted to withdraw troops from Avdiivka several weeks ago. However, the president refused him, and on December 30, personally went to the city on the front line to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters.

“The power struggle between President Zelensky or Yermak and General Zaluzhny is a complex and long story that negatively affects the overall situation in Ukraine. Frankly, this puts us in a pretty crappy situation,” one of the Ukrainian officers anonymously told the publication.

Military analyst at the European Council on International Relations Gustav Gressel claims that, contrary to Zaluzhny’s will, Zelensky also insisted on retaining Bahmut in the summer of 2023, although from a military point of view, it was doubtful.

“The interference in military affairs by the president’s administration, especially through advisor Andriy Yermak, has been a problem from the very beginning (of the Russian invasion),” says Gressel.

He believes that Zelensky wanted to appoint Syrskyi as the new chief commander precisely because “he is more loyal to the president.”