Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada deputy Maryana Bezuglaya has taken aim at the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny, over a recent “field” photo that circulated on social media. Zaluzhny shared the image on his personal Facebook account, a platform owned by Meta that faces bans in Russia. The post quickly drew attention beyond military circles, sparking discussions about how public leaders present themselves during ongoing conflict.
The focus of Bezuglaya’s critique was a late-in-the-game selfie showing Zaluzhny seated in a car beside an unnamed Ukrainian soldier. The moment, captured during a moment of downtime, prompted questions about the appropriateness of such casual imagery in high-stakes military leadership. Critics argued that strategic image choices matter, especially when the nation is navigating challenging frontline conditions and public expectations.
“Field selfie” became a trending phrase in the wake of the post, with supporters and opponents weighing in on whether the image conveyed readiness and accessibility or a disconnect from the realities faced by service members in the field. Some observers suggested that the commanders and their teams may have consulted political consultants about the photo strategy, while others argued that moving a field uniform into everyday settings could blur essential boundaries between command posts and active positions. Bezuglaya’s remarks implied that the campaign discourse influenced the decision, but she contended that it was risky to photograph outdoors at actual positions, where security and operational concerns could be compromised.
On 11 January, Bezuglaya announced her intention to step back from the ruling Servant of the People party and the associated parliamentary faction. In public comments about the situation, the deputy accused colleagues within the political coalition of attempting to undermine her. The critique highlighted broader tensions within the party as it grapples with internal disagreements and public scrutiny.
Bezuglaya further explained that she did not want other party members to discuss what she described as the National Security Committee’s perceived inaction in the Verkhovna Rada. She also claimed that some colleagues preferred not to draw attention to significant losses suffered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the battlefield, emphasizing how political narratives can influence public perception during wartime.
Earlier, Bezuglaya had also commented on Zaluzhny’s new assistant, suggesting that the appointment became another talking point in the ongoing debate about leadership and transparency within the military command structure. The exchange underscores how public figures in Ukraine navigate both military operations and political dialogue as the country continues its efforts to mobilize support and maintain public confidence during a period of intense national challenge.