Iron General Zaluzhnyi celebrates 52nd birthday - His impact on Ukraine's military
Valerii Zaluzhnyi (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Today, July 8, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi celebrates his 52nd birthday. He is a legendary figure in modern Ukraine who led the Armed Forces during the most difficult period of the war. We recalled the key stages of the general's career, interesting facts, and his most striking quotes.
On his birthday, Zaluzhnyi posted a photo on a treadmill. The post received over 400 comments with congratulations.
"The fight continues," he wrote.
Who is Valerii Zaluzhnyi
Valerii Zaluzhnyi was born on July 8, 1973, in the city of Novograd-Volynskyi (now Zviahel) in a military family. In 1997, he graduated with honors from the Odesa Institute of Land Forces. He worked his way up from platoon commander to commander of Operational Command "North."
Valerii Zaluzhnyi (left) during training (photo: facebook.com/vzaluzhnyi)
In 2021, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. For the first time, the position was held by a military officer who had never served in the Soviet army. From the outset, Zaluzhnyi advocated transitioning to NATO standards.
From the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, he led the defense that disrupted the enemy's plans. His strategic defense of fortress cities, flexible leadership, and trust in local commanders became the base of Ukrainian resistance.
Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Valerii Zaluzhnyi (photo: t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official)
In February 2024, he was dismissed from his position. Later, Zelenskyi appointed him as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom. In May, Zaluzhnyi also became Ukraine's permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization.
Most interesting facts about Zaluzhnyi
He was the first recipient of the Cross of Military Merit, awarded by President Zelenskyi.
He inherited $1 million and donated the entire amount to the needs of the Armed Forces.
He holds several military and civilian degrees, including one in international relations from the Ostroh Academy.
His favorite music includes 80s disco, Rammstein, and Queen.
At the time of his appointment as Commander-in-Chief, he was celebrating his wife's birthday and drinking beer, as he told Time.
As a child, he dreamed of becoming a comedian.
His favorite historical figure is Alexander Suvorov.
Zaluzhnyi reads military memoirs, philosophical works, and poetry, including poems by Bohdan Holova.
In 2022, he was included in the Time 100 list.
Several cities in Ukraine have already named streets after him.
Time magazine cover with Valerii Zaluzhnyi (twitter.com/TIME)
Powerful quotes by Valerii Zaluzhnyi
We have selected the most precise and powerful "iron general's" quotes about Ukraine, the Armed Forces, and our victory.
About Ukraine and Ukrainians:
- The phenomenon that allows us to keep fighting is our Ukrainian people... These people are filled with the idea of defending their loved ones, their families.
- It is the Ukrainian soldier, the Ukrainian sergeant, the Ukrainian officer who is killed and wounded every day, but they hold their positions. And today, they are the ones achieving this victory.
About the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
- The foundation of our resilience is the people. Ordinary people. Ordinary heroes. Among us. In formation with us... These are the people who, right now, at this moment, are hitting the occupier, holding the line, freezing in the cold, yet native land...
- We have become stronger than concrete and steel because we remember the examples of the unbreakable defenders of Donetsk airport and Azovstal.
About the war:
- This is not a show that the whole world is watching. Every day, every meter is earned with blood.
- This war cannot be won with weapons of the past generation and outdated methods.
- For every war, it is necessary to find its own unique strategy and logic that will lead to victory.
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Zaluzhnyi supports NATO standards (photo: facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua)
About enemies:
- Russians and any other enemies must be destroyed. Simply killed. And above all, we must not be afraid of this.
- This is a feudal state, where the cheapest resource is human life. But for us... the most precious thing is our people.
About the future:
- Our victory is a chance to catch our breath and prepare for the next war.
- We will fight to the last drop of blood.
About himself:
- I don't do anything extraordinary. I just do my job, the one I love most.
- I don't consider myself the smartest. I listen to those who are 'in the field'. The initiative lies there.
Even after his resignation, Valerii Zaluzhnyi remains a symbol of strength, resilience, determination, and belief in victory. He is proof that humanity, intelligence, and dedication to one's cause can change the course of history.
Sources: project "Rik" by Dmytro Komarov, The Economist, the "Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine / CinC AF of Ukraine" Facebook page, The Washington Post, Time, CNN, the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Earlier, we reported that in June 2025, Valerii Zaluzhnyi retained the highest level of trust among Ukrainians, 70.9% of respondents trusted him. He was followed by Volodymyr Zelenskyi (63.5%) and Kyrylo Budanov (53.9%). A survey by Info Sapiens has shown this.
We also shared Valerii Zaluzhnyi's opinion on Ukraine's chances to restore its 1991 borders.
