Some UKR Soldiers Express Unease Over Possible Dismissal of Army Chief; UKRs Allies Unnerved About Zaluzhnyi’s Possible Dismissal; 105 Combat Engagements F-Line-Past Day; UKR Repels 38 RU Attacks in Avdiivka Sector, LIVE UPDATES and LOTS MORE

Some Ukrainian soldiers express unease over possible dismissal of army chief:

As Ukraine’s president looks poised to fire the head of his armed forces, some soldiers fighting Russia’s latest onslaught on the eastern front are sceptical, but say that much will depend on who he might be replaced by.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview published on Sunday that he is considering replacing armed forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi as part of a broader wartime shake-up of the top brass.

Zaluzhnyi is viewed as a hero by most Ukrainians, with the memories of the stunning underdog victories against Russia in 2022 outweighing the failure of last year’s counter-offensive in the minds of many.

“I think this dismissal would not be appropriate now, because on the field of battle you do not change commanders,” said a 31-year-old anti-tank unit commander who asked to be introduced by his call sign, Tiger.

Tiger’s brigade, the 59th, are fighting on a section of the front in the eastern Donetsk region near Avdiivka, a town built around a vast coking plant which has borne the brunt of Russia’s second winter assault.

The soldier, choosing his words carefully and speaking in the basement of a house where he was resting between frontline rotations, said a lot depended on who would replace him.

“The most popular (commanders) are those who are here, and who fight alongside the lads, who sit in the trenches,” he said.

He added that whoever was in charge should ensure the arrival of fresh replacement troops and a larger supply of drones – both things that Zaluzhnyi has pushed for.

The importance of the identity of the next commander was echoed by 33-year-old company commander Ihor.—>READ MORE HERE

Kyiv’s allies unnerved about Zaluzhnyi’s possible dismissal:

Ukraine’s international partners are concerned that if President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decides to fire Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, it could have a negative effect on the country’s fighting capacity and overseas support, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 5.

A G7 country official signaling alarm said Zaluzhnyi is extremely popular with the Ukrainian military and public, warning that any move to oust him could undermine national unity at a critical juncture.

Retired Australian Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan pointed out that the U.S. Congress could use Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal as another pretext for abandoning any plans for further assistance to Ukraine.

According to FT, potential candidates to succeed Zaluzhnyi include Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, and Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence.

On Feb. 4, Zelenskyy said he’s considering a major shakeup of the entire administrative apparatus of the Ukrainian state. —>READ MORE HERE

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+++++Russia-Ukraine News LATEST UPDATES: (REUTERS) (AP) (NY POST) and (WSJ)+++++

+++++105 combat engagements take place in frontline over last day+++++

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