Zaluzhnyi remains silent on military strategy: “Otherwise, it will be a show, not a war, where the cost is human lives”

The Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Valery Zaluzhnyi, stated that evaluating the recruitment [process for a new mobilization through recruitment agencies – ed.] is premature. However, he strongly believes that mobilization should follow the same successful framework used in the past. Additionally, Zaluzhnyi has no intention of commenting on the recent publication by German news outlet BILD regarding Russia's military plans until the end of 2026.

The Ukrainian military leader announced this in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine.

"It's a bit premature to assess our recruitment efforts at this point. As for mobilization, rather than strengthening it, we should focus on returning to the successful methods we used before. Currently, the main concern lies with the soldiers on the front line – we need to find replacements and offer support to those in battle," said Zaluzhnyi.

The Commander-in-Chief added that sometimes they are left alone, which is completely wrong.

"It is simply necessary to return to the framework on which they were, on which they worked before," said Zaluzhnyi.

To a clarifying question of whether the dismissal of regional military committees had a strong impact on the effectiveness of mobilization, he answered as follows:

"They were professionals; they knew how to do it, but they are gone now."

The publication RBC-Ukraine also asked Zaluzhnyi to comment on BILD's publication, citing sources in German intelligence that Russia has a medium-term plan to seize Ukrainian territories. In particular, there are alleged plans to take control of Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia by the end of 2026.

"I would prefer not to comment on this process as it is not my area of expertise. The responsibility for it lies with those who have access to this information," Zaluzhnyi answered.

It is noted that last week, BILD analyst Julian Röpke, citing sources in German intelligence, talked about Russia's medium-term war plan until the end of 2026. According to this plan:

• By the end of 2024 – the occupiers intend to completely capture the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as reach the Oskil River within the Kharkiv region;
• by the end of 2026 – to capture large territories in the east, including the large cities of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Kharkiv;
• in the south to maintain the defense along the Dnipro River without advancing on Kherson or Odesa.

According to the conclusions of a source in German intelligence, within the next 36 months, the Russians plan to establish a new front line along the Dnipro River.

Also, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhnyi, stated that he cannot comment on military plans, particularly the allegedly planned new counteroffensive for 2024.

"This is a war; I can't say my plans on what we should do. Otherwise, it will be a show, not a war, where the cost is human lives. You can't say that under any circumstances," Zaluzhnyi answered.

It should be noted that the other day, the German publication Welt wrote that Zaluzhnyi is allegedly planning a new counteroffensive in 2024, and for this purpose, Ukraine is already gathering resources.

For reference:

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Valery Zaluzhnyi, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and other government representatives to present a comprehensive plan for mobilization in Ukraine.

In addition, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the approval of a new recruitment concept for the army, which, in particular, provides for the rejection of conscription and the introduction of recruiting.

However, as Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defense Nataliia Kalmykova noted, the call will remain as long as the full-scale war continues.

According to the official, the approved concept is a framework document that defines the vision of how the personnel work system will develop. The concept provides for the development of a road map that will describe the term of its implementation for the period up to 2028.

Also, the Ministry of Defense and the largest Ukrainian employment site, Work.ua, signed a memorandum of cooperation. From now on, recruitment to Ukraine's armed forces will be conducted on the platform.

In July, Zelensky approved a law that broadens the reasons for discharge from military duty during a state of emergency. This applies to soldiers whose immediate family members have passed away or gone missing while defending Ukraine.