DISINFO: The resignation of Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi confirms the political struggle for the presidency in Ukraine
SUMMARY
Information that the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian troops Valerii Zaluzhnyi will be removed from office indicates a struggle for power in Ukraine, said the head of the Kherson region Vladimir Saldo. This is a sign that suggests that in Ukraine there is now an intraspecific struggle, which always leads to losses. Zaluzhnyi’s resignation will lead to an even greater imbalance in the military that remains there. When we all unite again, these military will turn with us against the West, and we will free Ukraine from this oppression.
RESPONSE
A pro-Kremlin disinformation claim intended to undermine Ukraine's political and military leadership. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On the evening of December 29, 2023, anonymous Telegram channels wrote about the dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhnyi from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, amid rumors about Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal, said that “this is not true.” The information about the dismissal of the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief was denied in an interview with Ukrainian media by the press secretary of the President of Ukraine Serhiy Nikiforov. He stated that the President of Ukraine did not sign any decrees on personnel changes in the country's military leadership.
In his daily evening address to the nation, President Zelenskyy also did not make any statements about a change in the country's top military leadership.
Anonymous Telegram channels cannot be considered a reliable source of information. Russian media also used a quote from Russian-appointed Vladimir Saldo. The Kremlin appointed him so-called “governor of the Kherson region of Russia” (southern Ukraine, bordering the temporarily occupied Crimea) - a non-recognised body.
In Ukraine, Saldo is wanted for high treason and encroachment on the territorial integrity of the country.
Vladimir Saldo is under sanctions from Ukraine, the EU, the UK, the US, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Zaluzhnyi launched a military coup in Ukraine, that General Zaluzhnyi admitted the failure of Ukraine war against Russia, that A Nazi symbol was found on the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Ukraine, or that Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief wears swastika bracelet.