Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky “risks slipping into the role of embattled leader” following his “ugly fight” with former Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny.
Jerrymusa.com reports that Zaluzhny was sacked at the most inopportune moment when aid from the US was delayed while the Ukrainian army lacked artillery shells.
Zaluzhny’s Redignation Stires up Concern
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Ukrainian troops were unable to fire more than 2,000 rounds each day across the 1,500-kilometre-long line of contact, which is less than a third of the ammunition Russia uses.
Bloomberg cited a letter from Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to Kiev’s European partners.
The topic of Zaluzhny’s resignation has been a hot topic in both Ukrainian and Western media since rumours about it first surfaced on January 29.
Zelensky declared on the evening of February 8 that Zaluzhny was dismissed and Alexander Syrsky was appointed, but the corresponding decrees were not released for a long period of time.
Zaluzhny was thanked by Zelensky for his service as the head of the Ukrainian armed forces and given the chance to stay “on the team.” It is unknown if the fired general accepted Zelensky’s offer.
The Ukrainian leader also emphasised the military’s lack of advancement on the front lines.