The war in Ukraine – – bear the heavy burden

On February 24, 2022, the eyes of the world were on Ukraine. Russia has launched an invasion of the country, and President Vladimir Putin’s goal is to take over Ukraine in a matter of days.

Almost a year has passed, and Putin has not yet succeeded in his plan.

Because the Ukrainian defense resisted. They fought Russia from the capital Kyiv and confined the fighting to the east of the country.

The man who can take a lot of the credit for this is Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Valeryzh Zalognegi.

During 2022, he was chosen, among other things, as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Times Magazine He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army.

Former Norwegian Lieutenant-General Arne Bord-Dalhough praised Zalognegi’s efforts. Dalhoge says he personally doesn’t know any military observer who thinks Ukraine’s defense minister has done a bad job.

– He was very military skilled. He’s the main architect behind the strategy Ukraine has pursued since February 24, which has made significant progress on the battlefield, Dalhough tells Dagbladet.

New in the role

Valerij Zaluzhnyji was born in the city of Zvjahel, located in northwestern Ukraine, on July 8, 1973.

He graduated from the Odessa Military Academy in 1997. Since then, the 49-year-old defense chief has risen through the ranks as a platoon commander, company commander, and battalion commander in the Ukrainian Army.

Although impressed during the war, Zaluzhnegi is new to his role as defense minister.

In late July 2021, he was named Chief Defense Officer. After the outbreak of war, he was appointed commander of the general. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky In his speech on March 5, 2022.

Zaluzhnyji belongs to a generation of military officers in Ukraine who had a military career only in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thus, he has no background in the Red Army in the Soviet Union.

– He had one chance

There is no doubt that the choice of the general has weight. There are few people who have so much strength and responsibility.

The choices he makes affect not only the direction the war takes, but also the fate of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in his country.

– It is unlikely

Recently, Zalognegi stated in an interview with the magazine The Economist, the strategy he had followed in the days leading up to and during the Russian invasion in February. The world also held its breath, fearing that Ukraine and its armed forces were in danger of complete collapse.

– The Americans ordered us to prepare to defend the country. But we had one chance, and we took it. Our job was to distribute our small forces in such a way that we used unconventional tactics to stop the attack, he told the magazine.

– Not unusual

Nor does he hide the fact that he commands the Ukrainian military significantly differently from his counterpart in Russia, Sergei Surovkin, who commands Russian forces in Ukraine.

In Ukraine, says Zalognegi, totalitarianism is not working. He told The Economist his strategy is to listen to those in the field. Because this is where the stakes are.

So he is humble when he describes his efforts as Minister of Defense.

– I’m not doing anything unusual. I just do my job — which I love, says Zalognegi.

– weakens Putin’s image

Like most of his colleagues, he took part in the fighting in Donbass in 2014 and 2015. Since the start of the war in 2022, he has carried a role model in mind all the way since Ukraine was last attacked by Russia:

In his office, he has a photo of the now-deceased Ukrainian general, Hinadezh Vorobyov, who commanded the Ukrainian Ground Forces from 2009 to 2014.

Among other things, he was known for introducing a culture in the military where you must respect your subordinates.

– Every time I look at the picture, I think: “What will Hinadezh Vorobyov do?” Zalogniji says.

– the leader in the dispute

When Zaluzhnyji was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world Times MagazineNor did words of praise from U.S. Army Chief Mark A. Millie is waiting for him to justify.

Amidst the chaos, Commander-in-Chief Zalognegi has emerged as the military brain his country needs. Milley wrote that his leadership allowed Ukrainian forces to quickly adapt and take the lead against Russia on the battlefield, adding:

– General Zalognegi is the man behind this achievement, who carries the enormous burden of being the commander in battle. His work will be remembered forever.

Increased dissatisfaction: – frustration

Former Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug also considers Zaluzhnyji to have done an incredibly good job. At the same time, Dalhough believes Zalognegi was smart not to seek political attention, despite his popularity in Ukraine.

– He seems to be fully aware of his role, and that the political leadership is responsible, in particular President Volodymyr Zelensky, says Dalhough and adds:

– History will praise him for how he acted during this very difficult period.

– It can hit the enemy

Although the Ukrainian army had already fought Russian forces from the capital, Kyiv, at the beginning of the war, Zalognezh had no doubts that Russia would attempt to recapture Kyiv.

Russia prepares 200,000 new soldiers. I have no doubt they will try Kyiv again, he tells The Economist.

For his part, Dalhog does not consider an offensive against Kyiv any time soon.

– Zaluzhnij gives a realistic assessment of how large the forces Russia actually has, and what offensive capability it has. It will be very difficult for Russia to launch a new offensive against Kyiv. He says that the Russian forces and the amount of Russian equipment do not indicate that such an attack has a chance of success.

However, Zalognezh’s morale is good and he believes that Russia cannot win the war.

– I know I can defeat the enemy. He says in the interview that I need resources.