The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, dismissed 50-year-old Valery Zaluzhny, who had been the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for more than two years.

    58-year-old Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky was appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in place of the dismissed Valery Zaluzhny.

The differences between Zelenskyy and Zaluzhnyy began to emerge when the Russian and Ukrainian armies dug in and the front lines froze. 

The general rejected their arguments. He noted that his caution after the initial assault failed had resulted in saving vital troops and equipment. He argued that he could not plan the next counteroffensive if he did not know what resources he had. He said politicians should mobilize society.

Under the circumstances, it was right that the general left. In a democracy, the armed forces should be subordinate to politicians. General Zaluzhnyi's credibility as commander-in-chief had already been fatally undermined by rumors of his dismissal. The longer Mr. Zelenskyy appeared too weak to fire him, the more his own credibility suffered. The question is where this will lead the president and the new commander, Syrskyi.

(The Economist)