Zaluzhnyi explained the main difference between the Ukrainian army and the russian army

In an interview with The Washington Post, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said that he has devoted much of his efforts to reforming the Ukrainian army and abandoning the outdated and inefficient Soviet model of command.

Instead of "ruling with an iron fist," Zaluzhnyi says he often asks for advice and opinions – and not just from his own circle of generals.

Even now, soldiers on the front lines can often reach Zaluzhnyi directly through social media.

Zaluzhnyi's attempt to change the culture of relations in the Armed Forces can be seen on the battlefield. Years of training and deepening ties with NATO forces have made Ukrainian forces more agile than russian forces in this war.

Lower-level commanders on the ground often feel empowered to make quick decisions rather than run every order up the chain of command – a Soviet mindset.

"The assumption that this would be a war between the big Soviet army and the small Soviet army was wrong in many countries," said Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov. "That is why we were told that Kyiv would fall in three days and Ukraine in three weeks. But we should keep in mind that this is no longer the Soviet army."

After Reznikov learned that russia had invaded Ukraine on the morning of 24 February, 2022, he arrived at Zaluzhnyi's office to find the general standing over large maps and answering numerous phone calls. Zaluzhnyi was receiving information from the battlefield and then responding with sharp orders, Reznikov said. But he would always add something like "handsome" or "well done" when addressing his subordinates.

"This is humanity," Reznikov characterizes the commander-in-chief. "This guy wears a general's uniform, but his humanity makes him special.

The military still requires strict order and discipline, Zaluzhnyi says. According to him, he can be strict and demanding, but "I don't mock people, I don't oppress them, I don't humiliate them."

The rejection of the Soviet heritage of the Ukrainian army is far from complete. More institutions need to be changed, Zaluzhnyi says. And even more changes will come with the next generation of soldiers, whom Zaluzhnyi proudly praises for their English language skills and reading. "It is a pity that we are losing them," he adds.

After fighting the internal Soviet ideological enemy, Zaluzhnyi still respects his enemy's doctrine. He has read everything russian Commander-in-Chief Valery Gerasimov has ever written, describing it as "very, very interesting" and lamenting that he hasn't published anything recently.

"He is an enemy – a very smart enemy," Zaluzhnyi said. "Smart and therefore cunning. He is still strong. So you have to respect him and look for ways to kill him. Because this is the only way to win."

Background. To recap, Zaluzhnyi is surprised that Western allies, fearing an escalation of the war with russia, have set a condition that the long-range missiles and other ammunition they provide to the Ukrainian armed forces cannot be used to strike russia.