Ukraine War BREAKING NEWS: Zelenskyy Removes Zaluzhny from CiC

"Truthfully, he [Zaluzhny] came into this invasion as an inexperienced and untrained senior level commander, and he carried himself as a leader of a great army and an emerging nation."

Hello Team

🎦 00:00-00:09⏩

Jonathan welcomes viewers to another video on Ukraine War breaking news. He acknowledges that the news - the removal of General Zaluzhny as Commander in Chief by Zelensky - is no longer breaking news as it has been widely reported, and apologises for the audio issues experienced in his last video.

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Zelensky replaces Zaluzhny: Analysis, Commentary & Reactions

🎦 00:09-12:34⏩

Jonathan discusses Zelensky's announcement that General Zaluzhny is being replaced as Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He shares a statement where Zelensky thanks Zaluzhny for his service, mentions the need for renewal within the armed forces, and states that he has proposed Zaluzhny remain part of the team. He also shares that Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi will take over as Ukraine's top soldier. Jonathan questions whether Zaluzhny has been sacked or whether he is happy with this, pointing out that it is unclear what position he has been offered, or whether he will accept it. Jonathan discusses the popularity of Zaluzhny, acknowledging that whilst he is a fan, he questions whether people love Zaluzhny on account of the decisions he has made, highlighting the counteroffensive as an example. He shares an interesting paragraph from The Guardian which describes Zaluzhny as a cult figure both within and outside Ukraine with a reputation for bravery, modesty, and good humour. An analyst, Fasenko, is quoted as saying that Zaluzhny's lack of public appearances has led to people "giving him idealised characteristics". Jonathan compares this to people's perceptions of Zelensky, questioning whether their admiration is based on rational evaluations or "hysteria" questioning whether the level of adoration is fully justified. Jonathan highlights the risks associated with Zelensky's decision, including the potential impact on troop morale and his own political standing. He shares a Telegram post from Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and frequent Zelensky critic, who has called upon the president to explain his decision. Jonathan then shares a post from Mark Hertling, a retired US military officer, who suggests that Zaluzhny may be exhausted after more than two years in the role. Hertling provides context on the demands of Zaluzhny's role, describing him as the "tactical operational strategic map leader of the toughest fight we've seen in the 21st century" and suggesting that a change in leadership could be beneficial as Ukraine enters a new phase of the campaign. Jonathan agrees with Hertling's assessment, highlighting that major commanders in NATO typically only hold positions for around three years, significantly less time than Zaluzhny's tenure. He questions whether it is unrealistic to expect someone to be able to handle such a demanding role for such a prolonged period, and whether a rotation of personnel is necessary to bring in fresh perspectives and ideas. He acknowledges that Zaluzhny is popular and a "decent general" but reiterates his relative inexperience in comparison to his counterparts in other armies. Jonathan suggests that Zelensky will face a significant challenge in managing the public relations fallout of his decision, both domestically and internationally. He points to the outpouring of support for Zaluzhny from Ukrainian soldiers on social media, who have been changing their profile pictures to images of the general, and emphasises the need for Zelensky to provide clarity and transparency regarding his decision-making. He concludes by highlighting comments from Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, who suggested that Zaluzhny had been negotiating directly with international allies without involving the Ministry of Defence. Jonathan acknowledges that there are likely multiple factors at play, including possible personality clashes between Zelensky and Zaluzhny. He reiterates the potential risks associated with such a rift, particularly given the critical importance of both roles during a time of war. Jonathan finishes this section of the video by sharing a comment from a viewer, Max 23, who highlights reporting in The Times that cites Reznikov as saying that Zaluzhny's direct negotiations with allies, excluding the Ministry of Defence, was one reason for his dismissal. The Times article, citing Reznikov, also reports that Zaluzhny had failed to provide a military plan for 2024, something which Jonathan describes as "kind of weird". Jonathan concedes that the full reasons behind the decision are still unclear and that more information is likely to emerge over time, but reiterates his belief that the decision is a risky one that could have significant implications for Ukraine's war effort.

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Wrap up

🎦 12:34-12:48⏩

Jonathan acknowledges that this is a developing story that will continue to unfold and encourages viewers to share their thoughts and opinions in the comments section. He predicts that the decision will be divisive and that many viewers will be angry with Zelensky.

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