- Sputnik International, 1920, 25.02.2022
Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine
On February 24, 2022 Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev's forces.

Ukrainian Top General's Replacement Would Likely Have to Be Vetted by US

© AP Photo / LIBKOSУкраинские военные с гаубицей M777. Архивное фото
Украинские военные с гаубицей M777. Архивное фото - Sputnik International, 1920, 24.05.2023
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As reports detail that Ukrainian armed forces top commander Gen. Valery Zaluzhny would likely be unable to lead Kiev’s war machine due to sustained injuries, it remains unclear who may replace him.
Earlier Wednesday, a source in Russian law enforcement agencies told Sputnik that Zaluzhny suffered a cranial injury due to a Russian missile strike and had to undergo a trepanation.
"The forecast is that he will live, but he will not be able to do his job," the source said.
Commenting on this situation, Russian TV Channel One military correspondent Evgeny Poddubny told Sputnik that any officer the regime in Kiev might chose to replace Zaluzhny would have to be vetted by the US government first.
"On one hand, Zelensky needs a loyal man, on the other hand, people in Washington do not always approve of that," he said. "Therefore, they will likely have to compromise on that matter. The regime in Kiev is not independent in that regard."
Meanwhile, Alexander Mikhailov, analyst and head of the Bureau of Military-Political Analysis in Russia, suggested that a lot would depend on whether Zelensky would run for a new term in the upcoming presidential election. The next election cycle is slated to be held in Ukraine in less than 10 months.
US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - Sputnik International, 1920, 22.05.2023
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Mikhailov pointed out that Zaluzhny is not just an officer but also a political figure who, until recently, was actively promoted on social media as a potential replacement for Zelensky.

"How do we know whether Zaluzhny was actually injured?” Mikhailov inquired. "Maybe he really was injured, but maybe he is currently being prepped for a political career as the future president of Ukraine. Could that be true? It could. In many Ukrainian regions, Zaluzhny’s rating is higher than that of Zelensky."

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