Valeriy Fedorovych Zaluzhnyi – Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2021-2024), Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK (2024 – present).
Place of Birth, Education
He was born on July 8, 1973 in the city of Novograd-Volynskyi (now Zvyagel), Zhytomyr region.
In 1989, he began his studies at the Novograd-Volyn Machine-Building College, which he graduated in 1993 with honors.
After that, he entered the Combined Arms Faculty of the Odessa Institute of the Ground Forces. In 1997, he graduated from the institute with honors, after which he served in various command positions: from platoon commander to battalion commander, in particular, he headed a training platoon, a combat platoon, a training company and a company of cadets.
In 2005, he began his studies at the National Defense Academy of Ukraine, from which he graduated in 2007, receiving a gold medal. In December 2020, he received a master’s degree in International Relations at the Ostroh Academy.
Career
After completing his studies at the academy, Zaluzhnyi was appointed to the post of chief of staff – first deputy commander of the 24th separate mechanized brigade, which was stationed at that time in Yavoriv, Lviv region. He later led the brigade and served as commander until 2009.
In the period from 2009 to 2012, he led the 51st separate mechanized brigade.
In 2017, he was awarded the military rank of Major General. In the same year, he served as Chief of Staff – First Deputy Commander of the Troops of the Operational Command “West” of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
From 2018 to 2019, he headed the Joint Operational Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, at the same time he was the First Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces.
In the period from 2019 to 2021, Zaluzhnyi served as commander of the troops of the operational command “North”. From July 27, 2021 to February 8, 2024, he headed the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Ruslan Khomchak in this position.
On May 9, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing Zaluzhnyi from military service for health reasons, giving him the right to wear a military uniform. On the same day , the President appointed him Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
On March 3, 2025, Zelenskyy issued a decree appointing Zaluzhny as Ukraine’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Marital Status
He is married and has two daughters. The eldest is serving in the Kyiv garrison, while the younger lives in Odesa, where she studies and plans to become a doctor in the future.
