Kirill Budanov declines the position of Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine instead of Valeriy Zaluzhny – media reported

Two Western publications are reporting that Kirill Budanov, the chief of the main intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, has declined the position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine instead of Valeriy Zaluzhnyy.

“The Economist” and “New York Times” are among those reporting this.

The publications claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to dismiss Zaluzhnyy, but there is currently no candidate to replace him. One potential candidate for the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is 58-year-old Alexander Syrsky, the commander of the ground forces.

According to The Economist, the “expulsion” of one of the most popular figures in Ukraine would be too controversial and would mark a turning point in the war.

The New York Times, citing sources, writes that Zelensky decided to postpone the dismissal when this news became known to the media.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Zelensky would dismiss Zaluzhnyy sooner or later. The FT writes that replacing Zaluzhnyy may “irritate Western partners” and will occur at a critical moment in the war.

Recently, Ukrainian Telegram channels reported that the Commander-in-Chief had been removed from his position.