The Economist calls dismissal of Zaluzhnyi “a crucial new phase in the war”

The Economist has released a piece on the dismissal of Ukraine's Chief of the Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and the potential consequences for President Volodymyr Zelensky and his country. 

"…the general's dismissal is arresting for another, more important reason. It marks a new and crucial phase in the war — one that Mr Zelensky is in danger of getting wrong," the publication says, Rubryka reports.

The article states that when, on February 8, Zelensky finally replaced Valerii Zaluzhnyi with Oleksandr Syrskyi as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces as part of a broader reorganization, it seemed as if something momentous had happened.

The publication mentions, "This is partly because of General Zaluzhnyi's crucial role in the country's valiant, against-the-odds repulse of Russian forces in the early days of the invasion and his popularity among his troops and Ukraine's civilians."

According to the Economist, the differences between the politician-actor and his battle-hardened commander "were partly about culture and personality."

"Only as the Russian and Ukrainian armies dug themselves in, and the front lines stagnated, did these frictions start to cause harm," the authors say. "It is no secret that, as their relationship worsened, the two men also came to differ about what to do on the battlefield."

What really doomed the relationship between Mr. Zelensky and General Zaluzhnyp was the president's changing views on how the war would define what kind of country Ukraine should become, the publication says.

Zelensky and his administration held Zaluzhnyi responsible for last year's failed counteroffensive. They wanted the Ukrainian army to prepare for further attacks and pressed him to develop combat plans and make the unpopular decision to mobilize to increase troop numbers.

The general rejected their arguments. He pointed out that his caution after the failure of the initial offensive led to the loss of vital troops and equipment. Zaluzhnyo argued that he couldn't plan the next counteroffensive without knowing what resources he had.

According to the publication, one of the risks for Zelensky will be the backlash provoked in the army by the dismissal of "a much-loved commander." 

The Economist asserts that newly appointed chief Oleksandr Syrskyi "has a reputation for being willing to engage the enemy, even if the cost in men and machines is high."

"He is a divisive figure who provokes strong reactions from serving officers. Some praise his professionalism; others say he terrifies his subordinates and rules by fear," the Economist says. "He is less likely to question the priorities of his president. As he takes on the top job, he will have to soften his style of command and learn to speak truth to power."

The publication notes that since Zaluzhnyi was a hero of Ukraine, his dismissal will have political consequences as well.

The key question, according to the Economist, is whether Zelenskyi will be able to use Zaluzhnyi's resignation to redirect his vision of the war.

The publication emphasizes that it is important for the current changes not to worsen Ukraine's combat readiness and that Zelensky should consider the reorganization as an opportunity to "rededicate himself to a war of values."

"To sustain itself in the long fight ahead, Ukraine needs to increase its resilience," The Economist states.

What we know about Zaluzhnyi's dismissal

Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi simultaneously announced a joint meeting and stated that they discussed changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces.

Zelensky appointed Major General Oleksandr Syrsky as the Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podoliak, named the need to review tactics and avoid stagnation on the front line as among the reasons for Valerii Zaluzhnyi's dismissal.