Yuriy Mate/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
- A new poll shows Ukrainians trust the former top commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, more than his successor, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky.
- The poll reflects public opinion after President Zelenskyy's push for new military leadership.
- Syrsky, despite past military victories, faced criticism following a high-casualty battle.
Ukrainians trust the former top commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, far more than his successor, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, according to a new poll conducted after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hopes of new leadership revitalizing his military and the war effort.
The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology reported Thursday that 94 percent of Ukrainian residents trusted Zaluzhny in February, when he resigned as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while Syrsky held only 40 percent of the Ukrainian public's trust.
The KIIS poll results show that public trust in Syrsky has increased since December, 21 percent do not trust him, 4 percent aren't sure, and 35 percent of Ukrainians said they do not know him. This poll provides insight into the Ukrainian public's views after Zelenskyy said he wanted a revival of military leadership leading up to the promotion of Syrsky and several other shake-ups.
Syrsky was a powerhouse commander at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in his role in the defense of Kyiv, and he was able to retake Kharkiv in fall 2022. But he faced major criticism after the 2023 battle of Bakhmut.
Unlike Zaluzhny's nickname, "Iron General," some of the Ukrainian troops have nicknamed Syrsky the "Butcher" following high casualties and losses in Bakhmut, Politico reported.
Zelenskyy, however, has made his case in support of Syrsky and said that the new commander-in-chief is "Ukraine's most experienced commander."
Shortly after Zaluhzny's departure, the KIIS poll showed that the Ukrainian public's trust in Zelenskyy dropped by about 5 percentage points.
In response to survey results, KIIS executive director Anton Hrushetskyi said the lowering of trust among the Ukrainian public may be due to a variety of reasons beyond Zaluzhny, like political scandals and the uncertain attitudes of international partners toward Ukraine.
"It should be taken into account that the survey took place in a very 'hot' period, so it will be possible to talk about the crystallization of a certain attitude a little later, when the emotions of all participants have cooled down," Hrushetskyi said.
"Hopefully, the effects in public sentiment that we are observing have been calculated, and further steps will be less controversial and will lead the country to improve the situation," he said.