valerii zaluzhnyi

Former Ukrainian four-star general. He served as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from July 27th 2021 until February 8th 2024. On 27 July 2021, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Zaluzhnyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing General Ruslan Khomchak in this position. On 8 February 2024, Zaluzhnyi was replaced as Commander-in-Chief by Oleksandr Syrskyi, previously the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Following his replacement, he was decorated with the award Hero of Ukraine by Zelenskyy. The dismissal came amid increasing tension between him and Zelenskyy. He was formally dismissed from the military by Zelenskyy on "health grounds" on 9 May, but was allowed to wear a military uniform.