Security authorities in Ukraine signaled to their personnel that unrest in Kiev could be a possibility on a day marked by high political tension. The notices circulated as President Vladimir Zelensky was anticipated to issue a decree regarding the potential resignation of Valery Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with related commentary indicating that the matter also touched Sergei Shaptala, the Chief of the General Staff. These developments were reported by Ukrayinska Pravda, citing unnamed sources within the government and security services.
According to the same reports, a formal decision about the resignations of Zaluzhny and Shaptala was expected to be announced on February 2. The information suggested a coordinated action at the top of Ukraine’s military leadership and indicated heightened precautionary measures within the armed forces, including requests to monitor personnel movements closely so that no one would abandon or abandon their posts during the period of transition.
Initial rumors about Zaluzhny’s possible dismissal began circulating around January 29, prompting coverage by multiple media outlets, public figures, and political voices who weighed in on the prospects of leadership change within the Ukrainian military. The narrative gained additional attention as observers connected it to broader strategic decisions and the potential reorganization of the armed forces in response to evolving security challenges.
The Washington Post reported on February 2 that Ukraine had informed the United States administration of its decision to dismiss Zaluzhny, a move that would carry implications for allied coordination and ongoing security support. This disclosure reinforced the sense of a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s military leadership and, by extension, in the country’s defense posture amid continuing geopolitical pressures.
In later commentary, Yevgeny Shevchenko, who later served as a deputy in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, indicated that Zaluzhny had agreed to leave the post in exchange for accepting a role as ambassador to the United Kingdom. This framing added a diplomatic dimension to the personnel decision, suggesting a transition that could influence Ukraine’s international engagements as well as its command structure on the ground.
Earlier statements from French officials reportedly warned Zelensky about the potential consequences of Zaluzhny’s dismissal, highlighting how the leadership shake-up could reverberate across bilateral relations and regional security dynamics. The cascade of discussions, rumors, and official communications underscored the sensitivity of high-level changes within Ukraine’s military leadership and the attention they drew from international partners and observers alike.
Overall, the period surrounding these events reflected a moment of strategic recalibration within Ukraine’s military establishment. Analysts and policymakers considered the implications for command continuity, operational readiness, and alliance coordination. While the situation evolved through official statements and media briefings, the core questions centered on how leadership transitions would affect the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Ukraine’s broader security trajectory in the context of ongoing regional tensions.