Zelensky could sack top general as part of leadership ‘reset’

Ukrainska Pravda, citing political and military sources, reported on Monday that the shake-up would include Gen Shaptala.

“Shaptala will also leave the General Staff. [The fate of] all others is yet undecided,” one source told the outlet.

A second source said the two generals could be ousted from their posts as early as “the middle of the week”.

The military leaders are both seen as close allies, and have often been seen together on visits to front-line positions.

Gen Zaluzhnyi on Monday shared a picture of the pair on Facebook to wish Gen Shaptala a happy birthday.

“It will still be difficult for us, but we will definitely never be ashamed,” Gen Zaluzhnyi wrote in a cryptic message to his colleague.

The commander-in-chief’s future has been up in the air since reports published late last month that Mr Zelensky warned him in a private meeting that he would be replaced.

Mr Zelensky reportedly offered Gen Zaluzhnyi new roles as Ukraine’s national security adviser or its ambassador to the Nato military alliance.

The Ukrainian president’s comments on the situation late on Sunday marked his first public intervention on the situation, which has caused uproar in the war-torn country.

Gen Zaluzhnyi enjoys the support of Western military leaders and the country’s rank and file personnel.

“I think this dismissal would not be appropriate now, because on the field of battle you do not change commanders,” said a 31-year-old anti-tank unit commander fighting in eastern Donetsk, near Avdiivka, according to Reuters.

The soldier, who asked to be introduced by his call sign – Tiger, said a lot depended on who would replace Gen Zaluzhnyi.

“The most popular (commanders) are those who are here, and who fight alongside the lads, who sit in the trenches,” he said.

Fresh troops wanted

He added that whoever was in charge should ensure the arrival of fresh replacement troops and a larger supply of drones – both things that Gen Zaluzhnyi has pushed for.

The importance of the identity of the next commander was echoed by 33-year-old company commander Ihor.

“Before you fire someone from their post, especially such an important one, you need to be sure who will replace this person and what their vision is for the future of this situation,” he said.

“If our government wants to change someone, these changes should only make things better, and not worse.”