History of Valerii Zaluzhnyi in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 7, 2025

Valerii Fedorovych Zaluzhnyi is a Ukrainian general and diplomat. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from July 2021 to February 2024. He is now the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom. He was also a member of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 1973: Valerii Zaluzhnyi Born

In July 1973, Valerii Fedorovych Zaluzhnyi was born.

July 1973: Born in Novohrad-Volynskyi

Valerii Zaluzhnyi was born in July 1973 in Novohrad-Volynskyi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Zviahel, Ukraine).

1989: Graduated from City School No. 9

In 1989, Valerii Zaluzhnyi graduated from the city school No. 9 and entered the Zviahel Machine-Building Technical School.

1991: Graduated from Zviahel Machine-Building Technical School

In 1991, Valerii Zaluzhnyi graduated with honors from the Zviahel Machine-Building Technical School.

1997: Graduated from Odesa Institute of Land Forces

In 1997, Valerii Zaluzhnyi graduated with honors from the Odesa Institute of Land Forces and subsequently served in various military positions.

2005: Entered the National Academy of Defence of Ukraine

In 2005, Valerii Zaluzhnyi entered the National Academy of Defence of Ukraine.

2007: Appointed Chief of Staff

In 2007, Valerii Zaluzhnyi graduated with a gold medal and was appointed Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of the 24th Mechanized Brigade.

October 2009: Appointed Commander of the 51st Mechanized Brigade

In October 2009, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed commander of the 51st Mechanized Brigade.

2012: End of Command of the 51st Mechanized Brigade

In 2012, Valerii Zaluzhnyi's command of the 51st Mechanized Brigade concluded.

2014: Graduated from the National Defence University of Ukraine

In 2014, Valerii Zaluzhnyi graduated from the Ivan Cherniakhovskyi National Defence University of Ukraine.

2017: Appointed Chief of Staff

In 2017, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed Chief of Staff – First Deputy Commander of the Operational Command West.

2018: Appointed Chief of the Joint Operational Staff

In 2018, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed Chief of the Joint Operational Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – First Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces.

December 2019: Appointed Commander of the Operational Command North

In December 2019, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed as the Commander of the Operational Command North.

2019: Detained in Brussels Airport

In 2019, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was temporarily detained at the Brussels airport due to being on an international wanted list at Russia's request, while on his way to the NATO summit.

December 2020: Graduated with a Master's Degree

In December 2020, Valerii Zaluzhnyi graduated from the National University Ostroh Academy with a master's degree in International Relations.

July 2021: Appointed Commander-in-Chief

In July 2021, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

July 2021: Appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

On 27 July 2021, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

2021: Priorities as Commander-in-Chief

In 2021, Valerii Zaluzhnyi outlined his priorities as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

March 2022: Promoted to General

On 5 March 2022, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was promoted to the rank of General, the highest possible rank in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

2022: Popularity in Ukraine

In 2022, Valerii Zaluzhnyi became one of the most popular figures in Ukraine.

2022: Allegations regarding Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

In 2022, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was allegedly connected to the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.

2022: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2022, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, praised for his adaptability and information gathering during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

January 2023: High approval rating

In January 2023, Valerii Zaluzhnyi had a high approval rating among Ukrainian respondents.

January 2023: Received and Donated Inheritance

In January 2023, Valerii Zaluzhnyi received a US$1 million inheritance and donated it to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and humanitarian nonprofits in Ukraine.

February 2023: Proposed Renaming of Vatutine

In February 2023, there was a proposal to rename the village of Vatutine, Kharkiv Oblast, to Zaluzhne in honor of Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

June 2023: Appeal for Western Military Aid

In June 2023, Valerii Zaluzhnyi appealed to Western allies for F-16 fighter jets and tactical ballistic missiles to support Ukraine's counter-offensive.

November 2023: Comments on Stalemate in War

In November 2023, Valerii Zaluzhnyi stated in an interview that the war in Ukraine had reached a "stalemate", leading to public criticism from President Zelenskyy.

December 2023: Discussions on Mobilization

In December 2023, Zaluzhnyi discussed the potential mobilization of additional Ukrainian citizens into the Armed Forces.

December 2023: High trust rating

In December 2023, a significant percentage of Ukrainians expressed trust in Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

2023: Continued allegations regarding Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

In 2023, reporting by the Washington Post continued to allege Zaluzhnyi was involved in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage. He has denied involvement.

February 2024: Dismissed as Commander-in-Chief

In February 2024, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was dismissed from his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, amid tensions with President Zelenskyy.

February 2024: Analysis of Sanctions and Manpower

In February 2024, Valerii Zaluzhnyi wrote about the ineffectiveness of international sanctions against Russia and the challenges Ukraine faces in mobilizing manpower.

March 2024: Appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom

In March 2024, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed as the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom.

March 2024: Named Ambassador to the UK

On 7 March 2024, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was named the new Ukrainian ambassador to the UK.

July 2024: Presented Credentials as Ambassador

On 10 July 2024, Valerii Zaluzhnyi formally presented his credentials as the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK.

December 2024: Released Memoir

On 20 December 2024, Valerii Zaluzhnyi released his memoir titled My War, the first part of a planned autobiography.

2024: Continued allegations regarding Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

In 2024, The Wall Street Journal alleged that Zaluzhnyi carried out the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage. He has denied involvement.

March 2025: Appointed Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation

In March 2025, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed as Ukraine's permanent representative to the International Maritime Organisation, in addition to his role as ambassador.

March 2025: Appointed Permanent Representative to IMO

On 3 March 2025, Valerii Zaluzhnyi was appointed as Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation, alongside his role as ambassador to the UK.