Valery Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, spoke in an interview with CNN about the strategic priorities for 2024. He outlined a clear, three-pronged approach aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s military posture in the coming year.
The first priority centers on building a robust system for delivering high-tech equipment to the Ukrainian army. This involves creating reliable supply chains, ensuring timely access to advanced weapons and modern platforms, and streamlining logistics to keep the troops well-equipped even in challenging conditions. The emphasis is on resilience and speed, so that cutting-edge capabilities can be integrated into operations without delays that could limit effectiveness. The plan calls for tighter coordination with manufacturers, improved inventory control, and real-time visibility across all supply nodes to prevent bottlenecks and keep frontline units equipped for rapid mobilization.
The second focus deals with a refreshed philosophy of training and combat operations. Zaluzhny stressed adapting training methods and decision-making processes to the realities on the ground, including constraints in resources and the ways units are deployed. The goal is to foster agility, rapid decision cycles, and tactical creativity, enabling Ukrainian forces to maximize impact with the assets at hand. This shift is presented as essential to maintaining operational momentum while staying within practical bounds. Training programs would emphasize adaptive drills, mission-relevant scenarios, and decentralized execution, allowing units to improvise effectively under pressure while preserving cohesion and safety.
The third element involves developing new combat capabilities as quickly as possible. This means pursuing capabilities that can change the balance on the battlefield, expanding options for commanders and soldiers, and accelerating the integration of innovations into daily operations. The vision is to expand what Ukrainian forces can do, broadening their ability to deter aggression and respond effectively to evolving threats. The emphasis is on interoperable systems, survivable platforms, and smarter use of information to outpace adversaries.
Zaluzhny has been quoted as saying that the overarching aim is to accumulate and preserve the most modern combat capabilities to the greatest extent feasible. He argued that this buildup would enable Kiev to concentrate resources more efficiently, achieving a higher level of impact while potentially reducing the total resources needed to inflict substantial damage on adversaries. The framing suggests a strategic logic in which quality upgrades translate into greater leverage on the battlefield even when inputs are constrained. The message underlines a commitment to sustained modernization, practical scalability, and disciplined execution to maximize effect without overextending national capacity.
In related reporting, the German newspaper Bild cited a narrative from several weeks earlier about a proposed withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka. The article noted that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky did not approve such a retreat, indicating a decision at the highest levels to maintain pressure and sustain operations in the contested area. The discussion highlights a deliberate approach to keeping pressure on contested fronts, aligning with broader strategy to hold lines and sustain momentum where it matters most.
Additional reporting from CNN, dated February 1, mentions that a decree on Zaluzhny’s dismissal would be signed within the week, signaling a formal administrative action tied to the leadership discussions already underway. The piece also noted speculation about potential changes in leadership timing, with predictions of possible layoffs or restructuring anticipated to occur in the spring. The development signals ongoing governance and strategic realignments at the highest levels, with implications for planning cycles and operational continuity across the armed forces.