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Ukraine’s Zaluzhny awarded title of hero following dismissal

Valery Zaluzhny is also said to have presidential ambitions

MOSCOW, February 9. /TASS/. The former top commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny, has been awarded the title of hero, according to an executive order published on the Ukrainian president’s website.

Zaluzhny, who the mass media blames for the failure of Ukraine's summer ‘counteroffensive’, was dismissed on Thursday, February 8. However, information about his looming dismissal started to swirl as early as January 29. In the following days, both the media and social media sites continued to speculate about whether he would keep his post and whether the army would attempt to challenge the president’s moves.

Zaluzhny is also said to have presidential ambitions. Some local media outlets cite his rivalry with President Vladimir Zelensky as one of the reasons behind his resignation.

Middle East conflict

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France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

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Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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Russia will respond 'in every way' to Seoul’s arms supply to Kiev — MFA

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US Justice Department drops federal cases against Trump — transition team

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Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

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Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

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US 'stains' reputation by vetoing UNSC resolution on Middle East — Russian diplomat

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

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West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Large number of Ukrainians to lose mobilization exemption after February 28 — deputy

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Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

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Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

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UK mercenary taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk area — source

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Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

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