Author of the Book about Zaluzhny Recalled the Assessment He Gave to the Actions of the Authorities before the Great War.

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny had fears about the authorities' misunderstanding of the real threat of an attack before the start of the RF invasion. Despite this, Zaluzhny did not hide from the public that the country needed to prepare for a full-scale war. This was stated in an interview with "Glavkom" by the former communications officer of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces 2021-2024, Valeriy Zaluzhny, author of the book "Iron General. Lessons of Humanity" Lyudmyla Dolhonovska.

According to her, in the years before the RF invasion, the military leadership of Ukraine understood the number of combat participants, and there was also an understanding that weapons, equipment, and even uniforms and helmets would be lacking in case of mobilization.

"I remember how Valeriy Fedorovych, after another government meeting and talking with high-ranking officials, said: I am afraid they do not understand us, and we will have to fight in jeans and slippers. He was worried about this," Dolhonovska recalled.

The author emphasized several striking, in her opinion, moments. For example, in August 2021, when the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence was celebrated, a series of public events took place at the Congress and Exhibition Center "Parkovy." Valeriy Zaluzhny was invited to speak at the veterans' forum, and he publicly said from the stage that Ukraine needed to prepare for full-scale Russian aggression.

"He said he was addressing the military, reservists, and veterans because they would bear the main burden of this war first of all. I remember he said that a great consolidation of the whole state would be needed to repel the aggression. Because the war is waged not by the Armed Forces, but by the whole state, the whole society. So we held our line. Military exercises took place. Their purpose was not hidden; partly, it was preparation to repel full-scale Russian aggression," the author of the book explained.

Another example can be referred to as an interview of Valeriy Zaluzhny for Sky News in January 2022, which came out with the headline that "we will defend ourselves in case of a full-scale war to the last drop of blood".

Lyudmyla Dolhonovska emphasizes that until February 2022, there was no pressure from the President's Office about not "escalating the situation." She suggested that this was because the military at that Time was not very visible; the public did not hear them. "The position of our military was known, it was not hidden. And it was clear to Western military officials that Ukraine was preparing," Dolhonovska emphasized.

Recall, on August 22, the first book about the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny "Iron General. Lessons of Humanity" went on sale. Its author is the former advisor of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on strategic communications, Lyudmyla Dolhonovska. The book partially lifts the curtain on what new things can be learned about Valeriy Zaluzhny himself, his views on life, war, and politics.

By the way, in July, Zaluzhny took office as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.