Confusion in Kyiv over reports of Zelensky planning to sack top general

Reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had fired his top general this week received official denials from Kyiv, but government officials insist that Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhny will soon receive his pink slip.

The president and general have publicly disagreed in their assessments of Ukraine's prospects in the ongoing with Russia, with Zaluzhny often pouring cold water on the likelihood of pivotal victories for Kyiv in the near future. A major counteroffensive operation last year largely failed to achieve meaningful results on the battlefield and the Russians have since reclaimed the initiative.

Speaking to Politico, a government official in Zelensky's office and someone familiar with the talks between the president and Zaluzhny attempted to shed light on the litany of rumors surrounding the possible personnel shakeup.

"I know for a fact that Zaluzhny is going to be fired, but it was not supposed to happen on Monday and it didn't," the latter source told the outlet. That source further suggested the rumors of his sacking were likely a "controlled leak of information ahead of time."

Both sources indicated that Zelensky's hesitance to officially fire Zaluzhny, who enjoys considerable public support, stems from fears of turning him into a formidable political opponent. Under peacetime conditions, Ukrainian elections would be scheduled for this year, though Zelensky in November stated that "now is not the time for elections" and it remains unclear whether Kyiv plans to organize them at all.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.