Zelensky Sacks Top General — Significance, Implications, & the Future of Ukraine’s Resistance

Groundbreaking news came out of Ukraine last week.

Rumors were brewing for at least a week about the possibility of a shift in command in Ukraine. And on Thursday, 8th of February 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the sacking of General Valerii Zaluzhnyi — a military leader widely popular among the troops and general public alike.

“The time for … a renewal is now,” Zelensky said on X, formerly Twitter.

One of the reasons why the information leaked in advance of the firing of Zaluzhnyi, according to some, was so that it would not cause shock and concern over Ukraine’s handling of the war. Some of that has been prevented. But many did not take this decision lightly despite the preliminary leaking.

To replace him is Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who has served as the Commander of Ukrainian Land Forces since 2019.

Is there a reason to be concerned?

In this post, I want to answer that and go over what this change in command might suggest for Ukraine’s resistance moving forward.

“Today, a decision was made on the need to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am sincerely grateful to Valerii Fedorovych for all his achievements and victories.” —Volodymy…