Zaluzhny Reveals Rift with Zelensky, Accuses President of Counteroffensive Failure

Kyiv – Former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valery Zaluzhny, now Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, has publicly detailed a growing rift with President Volodymyr Zelensky, attributing disagreements over military strategy to the failure of Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive. The revelations, made in an interview with the Associated Press , mark the first time Zaluzhny has spoken extensively about the tensions with Zelensky.

Early Disagreements and a Raid on His Office

Zaluzhny stated that tensions began shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, centering on differing approaches to the country’s defense. The relationship reached a critical point in the fall of 2022 when the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) searched his office, an act he described as an attempt at intimidation and a risk to national unity during wartime.

According to Zaluzhny, he contacted Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office, during the search, warning he was prepared to deploy military forces to protect the command center. He also contacted Vasily Malyuk, then head of the SBU, who claimed to have no knowledge of the operation. The SBU later obtained a court warrant for the search, citing an investigation into a criminal group and a former strip club at the location, though Zaluzhny believes this was a pretext.

The SBU, in a statement to the BBC, claimed the search was part of a broader investigation into organized crime and that Zaluzhny’s command post happened to be located at one of the addresses involved.

Failed 2023 Counteroffensive

The most significant disagreement, Zaluzhny revealed, concerned the 2023 counteroffensive. He accused Zelensky of undermining the operation by dispersing forces along the front line, deviating from an initial plan agreed upon with NATO partners. This plan, according to Zaluzhny, focused on concentrating forces in the Zaporizhzhia region to break the land corridor to Crimea and reach the Sea of Azov.

Two Western military officials, speaking anonymously to the AP, confirmed that the counteroffensive did deviate from the original concept.

Political Rivalry and Future Prospects

Since his removal as army chief in 2024 and appointment as ambassador to the UK, Zaluzhny has been increasingly viewed as Zelensky’s main political rival. Public opinion polls suggest both remain the most popular figures in Ukraine, potentially reaching a second round of a presidential race.

Zaluzhny stated he is avoiding political statements for now, emphasizing his focus on his current role as ambassador and the ongoing war. He also revealed that he declined an offer of assistance from Paul Manafort, the former campaign manager for Donald Trump and a political consultant for ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, in the spring of 2025.