Valeryi Zaluzhnyi built a reputation as Ukraine’s ‘Iron General’ – now he will provide vital help from the UK

A signpost has been erected on a shattered road in a village near Kharkiv with a new name for the place: Zaluzhne. This was after Valeryi Zaluzhnyi, the former commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s army.

Following the liberation of Kherson in the south from the Russians, graffiti was sprayed on a wall pitted with bullet holes: “God and Zaluzhnyi are with us.”

The admiration for General Zaluzhnyi is felt widely at home and among allies abroad, for the inspiring role he played as the chief of Ukraine’s armed forces in repelling Vladimir Putin’s invasion against the odds.

Now, as the war enters a pivotal stage, with the Russians making gains across a number areas and an expected offensive in the east, with Kharkiv and surrounding areas like Zaluzhne among the targets, Gen Zaluzhnyi is embarking on a new role for his country as ambassador in London.

The removal from the military of the tough soldier who had earned the sobriquet the “Iron General” has not been without controversy. It was done at the wishes of Volodymyr Zelensky, one change among many at the top of the security hierarchy carried out by the office of the Ukrainian president.

The defence minister Oleksii Reznikov and all six deputy defence ministers have been moved from their posts, as have Oleksii Danilov, the head of the National Security Council; General Serhyi Shaptala, the chief of the general staff, and Serhiy Shefir, who held the post of first assistant, a senior adviser to the president.

The shake-up came after the failure of last summer’s much publicised Ukrainian counteroffensive, followed by Russian gains, albeit limited ones. The scale of the changes, however, has raised questions among some Western allies – with the removal of Gen Zaluzhnyi of particular concern.

One official line was that Gen Zaluzhnyi had been released from service after a health check by the military medical board. The general, however, is said to have annoyed some people in high places by saying the conflict has reached a “stalemate” and “there may not be any deep and beautiful breakthrough”. New approaches, concentrating on the use of new technology, and advanced weaponry were needed, he maintained, while criticising bureaucratic red-tape for delays to supplies reaching the frontline, and parliament for not bringing in legislation increasing Ukraine’s pool of recruits fast enough.

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Reports circulated that the general had been censured for his comments by the president’s office. After his dismissal, Gen Zelensky said in a statement: “Starting today, a new management team takes over the leadership of the armed forces of Ukraine. I want our warriors in Robotyne and Avdiivka, the general staff and the staff to have the same vision of war.”

Gen Zaluzhnyi, burly, cropped-haired, with preference for a Spartan lifestyle, seemed to be in his element in the armed forces. He professes to not having any political ambitions despite opinion polls giving him an approval rating of 92 per cent, beating Zelensky’s 77 per cent.

Gen Zaluzhnyi may be away from combat in his new post, but he will have a highly important role to play as his country’s envoy to one of its most steadfast backers at a time when continuing international support will be crucial in the conflict.

After months of haggling, the US Congress has passed a $61bn (£48bn) aid package for Ukraine. In London, prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced further military support for Kyiv, including 400 vehicles, more than 1,600 missiles, 4 million rounds of ammunition and 60 boats. This is as well as £500m in additional funding, a total of £3bn this financial year.

The delay in the US package has proved costly to Ukraine, with shortages, particularly of ammunition, allowing Russian forces to capture the city of Avdiivka and a number of surrounding villages in the Donbas. The Kremlin, it is expected, will try to push through with assaults before large-scale Western aid arrives.

The Ukrainians, too, would want to go on the front foot when deliveries of Western weapons permit. The shadow of a Donald Trump presidency after the US elections in November hangs over the course of the war. The former president, accused of being the Moscovian candidate when he was in the White House, has said in the past that he is prepared to accept the loss of some Ukrainian territory, including the Kremlin’s annexation of Crimea.

Gen Zaluzhnyi built up an extensive list of senior international military and diplomatic contacts during his time as commander-in-chief. He will be ideally placed to use this network to try and ensure that allied backing of Ukraine remains resilient.

The former commander will have to be careful, however, about what he says. The previous ambassador, Vadym Prystaiko, was sacked last summer for being critical of remarks Mr Zelensky made about UK weapons supplies to his country.

Western security officials who have got to know Gen Zaluzhnyi say he may well show deftness in the diplomatic sphere which may surprise a few.

“Zaluzhnyi joined the Ukrainian army when it was still very much in the Soviet mould. That evolved and changed over the years, and when he got into a senior enough position, he pushed through reforms,” said a senior British officer. “He is willing to embrace new ideas, and he is an astute, shrewd man. I think he’ll be a great asset for Ukraine.”