Former Commander of Ukraine's Armed Forces Zaluzhnyi Declared Unfit for Service

The former Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has been declared unfit for military service by a military medical commission prior to his appointment as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom in March. This information was reported by the Ukrainian publication ‘Зеркало недели’ citing its sources. The report was transmitted by RIA Novosti.

“General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, underwent assessment by the VLK (Military Medical Commission) during the winter, where he was recognized as unfit for military service. He also submitted a report in February regarding his release from military service. This has been reported by sources of ZN.UA,” the publication states.

It was noted that Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov and President Volodymyr Zelensky did not offer him any significant military positions that correspond with his experience and readiness. Following this, according to the publication, Zaluzhnyi decided to resign.

The delay in resignation is explained by the gaps in current Ukrainian legislation, particularly regarding who should dismiss General Zaluzhnyi from military service—the Minister of Defense or Zelensky. “According to current legislation, after remaining in the minister's (personal - ed.) disposition for two months, the military officer (in an interim status - ed.) has their monetary benefits ceased, aside from the salary for their military rank. For General Zaluzhnyi, holding the highest military rank, this amounts to 1,762 hryvnias (46 dollars) per month,” the publication noted.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced the agreement on Zaluzhnyi’s candidacy for the post of ambassador to the United Kingdom. On February 5, shortly before Zaluzhnyi's resignation from the position of Secretary General of the Verkhovna Rada, MP Yevhen Shevchenkо announced that Zaluzhnyi had agreed to the ambassadorial role in the UK.