Ukrainian Ambassador Warns: 'Do Not Assume Russia Has Lost the War'

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and former Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi has issued a stark warning: "Do not assume that Russia has lost the war." His comments, published in The Telegraph on July 8, are being interpreted by many as a subtle criticism of his successor, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the current Commander-in-Chief.

Zaluzhnyi directly addressed a prevailing sentiment among Western analysts who have concluded that Russia has effectively lost the conflict. He pointed to Ukraine's increasingly successful deep strikes against Russia's oil industry and its ongoing mid-range strikes targeting Russian logistics as evidence of Ukraine's capabilities. However, his underlying message suggests that such successes should not lead to complacency.

The former Commander-in-Chief's public statements are also fueling speculation about his political future. Many observers believe Zaluzhnyi is positioning himself as a potential rival to current President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in future presidential elections. His willingness to offer a critical assessment of the war's current standing, even if framed as a strategic caution, could resonate with a public seeking a clear path to victory.

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Do not assume that Russia has lost the war.