Zelensky's 'Rival' Reveals Deep Rift Between Them After Army Ousting and Raid
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, widely seen as the top political rival to President Volodymyr Zelensky since his ouster as Ukraine's army chief in 2024, has publicly disclosed a profound rift between the two leaders. In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Zaluzhnyi, now serving as ambassador to Britain, detailed tensions that emerged soon after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, including a previously unreported raid on his office by Ukraine's domestic intelligence service.
Office Raid and Intimidation Allegations
Zaluzhnyi recounted that in mid-September 2022, hours after a tense meeting at Zelensky's headquarters, dozens of agents from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) arrived at his office to search the premises. He alleges this was an act of intimidation, stating he prevented them from rifling through documents and computers. "I will fight with you and have already called in reinforcements to the center of Kyiv for support," Zaluzhnyi said he warned Zelensky's chief of staff during the incident.
The SBU denied conducting a search at Zaluzhnyi's office, acknowledging only that the address was part of an investigation unrelated to him. However, court documents obtained by AP show the SBU sought a warrant to inspect the address two days earlier, citing a strip club allegedly run by a criminal organization. Employees confirmed the club had been closed at that location since before the invasion, raising questions about the agency's motives.
Persistent Disagreements Over War Strategy
While the near-crisis of the raid passed, disagreements between Zaluzhnyi and Zelensky over how to defend Ukraine persisted. A major point of contention was the 2023 counteroffensive, which Zaluzhnyi says failed because Zelensky and other officials wouldn't commit the necessary resources. The original plan, crafted with NATO partners, aimed to concentrate forces into a "single fist" to retake Zaporizhzhia and advance to the Sea of Azov, severing Russian supply lines to Crimea.
Instead, Zaluzhnyi claims forces were dispersed over a wide area, diluting their striking power. His account is corroborated by two Western defense officials speaking anonymously. Zaluzhnyi also criticizes Ukraine's war strategy for depending on unrealistic troop numbers and poor organization in deploying new technologies.
Political Ambitions and Public Opinion
Zaluzhnyi, 52, refuses to discuss political ambitions to avoid harming national unity during the war, but his revelations hint at a possible presidential run post-conflict. An Ipsos poll last month showed 23% support for Zaluzhnyi in a hypothetical election, compared to Zelensky's 20%, making him the president's top competitor. Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko notes, "Many Ukrainians see Valerii Zaluzhnyi as a figure capable of changing the system. People will vote not only for Zaluzhnyi but also against Zelensky—blaming him for the failures of his presidency."
Zelensky dismissed Zaluzhnyi as army chief in February 2024, later appointing him ambassador to London—a move analysts view as an effort to limit his political rivalry. Despite this, Zaluzhnyi says their conversations since have been "absolutely friendly," though he is no longer involved in military decision-making.
Broader Implications for Ukraine
The revelation of this rift threatens to polarize public opinion at a critical juncture in the war, with Russian forces making slow gains in the east and both sides clinging to incompatible demands. Zelensky has agreed in principle to a U.S.-backed plan by President Donald Trump for post-war elections with security guarantees, but a peace deal remains elusive.
Zaluzhnyi's lack of involvement in day-to-day politics may weaken his popularity, yet his status as a potential change-maker endures. As the war approaches its fourth anniversary, these disclosures underscore the internal challenges Ukraine faces beyond the battlefield, highlighting divisions that could shape its future political landscape.
