Ukraine’s 48-year-old Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny has been leading Ukraine’s armed forces for less than a year. Nevertheless, the media are already calling him a legendary figure in the history of Ukraine.

Before the full-scale invasion of Russia, his name was mostly known to experts, but now Zaluzhny is seen as a key figure in Russia’s failure to achieve any of its military goals, including the capture of Kyiv within 48 hours and the occupation of Donbass on May 9.

Zaluzhny had been involved in military operations in Donbass since 2014, then headed the operational command before becoming commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in July 2021.

A different approach

Zaluzhny differs from his Russian counterpart, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, in every possible way. This includes the use of military personnel who have practical experience, specialized training and appropriate behavior.

Sergei Shoigu at the Russian May 9 parade (Russian TV screenshot)

While Shoigu promulgates Soviet stereotypes with stern demeanor flanked by an array of medals, Zaluzhny is much more modern – often seen smiling and taking selfies with servicemen.

Ukrainian officers describe Zaluzhny as a very outgoing general who understands the problems that can plague soldiers and junior officers, and as someone who does not allow the pattern of shining stars on uniforms to create a sense of arrogance.

Unlike Shoigu, who lacks practical military experience and military education, Zaluzhny rose through the ranks to the highest position in the armed forces.

Background and career

Zaluzhny was born on July 8, 1973 in Novohrad-Volynskyi in a military family. In 1997 he graduated with honors from the General Military Faculty of the Odessa Higher Command School. After that, he passed all stages of military service, commanding a training unit, a combat unit, cadets and a battalion.

In 2007, Zaluzhny received his second higher military education at the National Defense Academy, then in 2014 graduated from the Ivan Chernyakhovsky National Defense University of Ukraine.

In the summer of 2014, Zaluzhny was reassigned to eastern Ukraine where the war started. He was deputy commander of Sector C in Debaltseve, where some of the bloodiest fighting took place. Since then, he has led almost every military group in the region.

In 2017, Zaluzhny received the rank of general, but continued to work at the front.

In 2018, he was appointed Chief of the Joint Operational Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Under his leadership, the Ukrainian army liberated several settlements, including the village of Pivdenne near Horlivka from Russian control.

On July 27, 2021, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Zaluzhny Commander-in-Chief. Immediately after his appointment, Zaluzhny declared that his priority was the transition of the armed forces from Soviet standards to NATO standards.

Zaluzhny attending a NATO Military Committee meeting, January 13, 2022. Source: Ukrinform

One of Zaluzhny’s first actions as commander was to allow the Ukrainian military in what was then officially known as the counter-terrorist operation zone to open fire in response to an attack without consent. from senior management. Thus, the front got rid of unnecessary bureaucracy and began to fight more efficiently.

Zaluzhny is a key enabler of the modernization of the Ukrainian military and the total elimination of “Soviet thinking”.

He summed up his approach as follows in his advice to the Armed Forces he gave in July 2020: “The overall course of reforming the Ukrainian Armed Forces in accordance with NATO principles and standards remains irreversible. And the key here is the principles – Changes must take place mainly in worldview and attitude towards people. I would like you to turn your face towards the people, towards your subordinates. My attitude towards people did not change throughout my service.

The best Ukrainian soldier is married with two daughters. The eldest serves in the Kyiv military garrison, and the youngest is studying in Odessa and plans to become a doctor.