The conflict between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyy is escalating with the president obstructing the Chief Commander from managing the army

Zelensky and the head of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnyy, are reportedly in conflict and there are discussions within the President’s Office about potentially dismissing Zaluzhnyy, as per reports from “Ukrainska Pravda.”

The article notes Zelensky’s direct communication with certain Ukrainian Armed Forces commanders without involving Zaluzhnyy, which has hindered the Chief’s command over the army. There’s a perception that Zelensky has categorized the Ukrainian Armed Forces into two groups: the ‘favored’ ones led by Syrskyi and others and the ‘less favored’ ones under Zaluzhnyy. This situation is said to greatly demotivate Zaluzhnyy and obstruct his leadership over the entire army.

Communication channels bypassing Zaluzhnyy are reportedly active between Zelensky and key commanders like Syrskyi for the Ground Forces and Oleshchuk for the Air Forces. This leads to a situation where Zaluzhnyy occasionally receives information from his formal subordinates but often remains unaware of critical details. Zaluzhnyy’s position was further weakened due to the resignations of key military figures which Zaluzhnyy’s camp views as an attempt to undermine his authority. Additionally, a legal case against the Joint Forces Operation commander Naiev has complicated matters, as Zaluzhnyy also provided testimony in this case.

Tensions between the President and the Chief have heightened following a southern counteroffensive. There are reports of internal strife at the Staff involving Zaluzhnyy and the head of the State Bureau of Investigations, Sukhachev, regarding reports of purges in the military due to corruption. Zaluzhnyy suggested that these actions negatively impacted mobilization figures. Zaluzhnyy apparently expressed frustrations to Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin during the latter’s visit to Kyiv. The report implies that Austin’s visit intensified the discord between the military and political leadership.