Bezugla accused Zaluzhny of organizing resonant publications in The Economist about Ukraine

Ukrainian MP from “Servant of the People” faction, Mariyana Bezuhla, has essentially accused the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, of orchestrating the publication in The Economist depicting a conflict between the general and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as indicating a drop in the latter’s ratings.

Bezuhla alleges that Zaluzhny disseminates such material through the owner of “Ukrainska Pravda,” Tomash Fiala, and the editor-in-chief of “Ukrainska Pravda,” Sevgil Musayeva.

“What’s left for you, Valeriy Fedorovych? Commissioned articles in The Economist through Fiala, Musayeva, Drobovich, Davidyuk, etc.? How many of them are there already? Is this how a general acts—staying silent in Ukraine and throwing this to the world via foreigners? Maybe you have something to say directly?” wrote the MP on Facebook.

Furthermore, a Ukrainian MP, Yevhen Shevchenko, close to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, Kirill Budanov, suggested imposing sanctions against Ukrainska Pravda and wrote on Telegram that Zelensky “didn’t please the piglets.”

Additionally, Bezuhla continued to publicly raise questions to Zaluzhny regarding issues within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

“Why, for instance, do transfers between military units take months? Why aren’t the most capable brigades provided with new equipment, while brand-new and untested ones receive it? Why can a person still end up in a storm without training, despite the law we’ve passed? Why is the issue of the military medical commission still unresolved, despite the law passed a while ago? Is this all Zelensky’s fault? Are they pressuring you, poor soul? Is this worth yet another article in The Economist?” Bezuhla queried.

Recall that earlier, the Ukrainian MP accused Zaluzhny of lacking military plans for the following year, which drew criticism. However, despite the backlash, Bezuhla did not consider her call for Zaluzhny’s resignation a mistake and continues to insist that the General Staff lacks an action plan for 2024.

Following the scandal in the parliament, there have been suggestions to remove the MP from her position as the deputy head of the national security committee.