The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, is one of the most famous Ukrainian military.

During the full-scale war, he became a national hero, and in the media he was nicknamed the "iron general".

The editors of the site TSN.ua offer to find out how Valery Zaluzhny has changed over the years, how he built his career and what is known about his personal life.

Childhood, adolescence and education

Valerii Zaluzhnyi was born on July 8, 1973 in Zhytomyr region. His family are servicemen, so he dreamed of becoming a military man from childhood.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi in childhood / Photo: Photos from social networks

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi / Photo: Photos from social networks

First, the future military graduated from the Novohrad-Volyn Machine-Building College after school, and then, in 1997, entered the Odessa Institute of the Ground Forces to fulfill his childhood dream.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi / Photo: Photos from social networks

The military man studied a lot. Zaluzhnyi graduated from the National Defence Academy of Ukraine in 2007, the National Defense University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi in 2014, and graduated from the Ostroh Academy Master's degree in 2020. Interestingly, Valerii Zaluzhnyi graduated from universities with honors.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi in his student years / Photo: Photos from social networks

Military career

In parallel with his studies, Valery Zaluzhny built a successful military career. He rose from platoon commander to battalion commander.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi / Photo: Photos from social networks

In 2007, the military man was appointed first deputy commander of the 24th separate mechanized brigade in Yavoriv, and two years later Zaluzhnyi became commander of the 51st separate mechanized brigade.

In 2014, the soldier became deputy commander of sector "C", which was formed in the Donetsk region. In 2017, Zaluzhnyi was appointed First Deputy Commander of the Operational Command "West", and in 2018 – First Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces.

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Valerii Zaluzhnyi became Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2021 by decree of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi / Photo: Photos from social networks

The personal life of Valery Zaluzhny

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is married. His wife's name is Elena, the couple has been married for more than 20 years.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi with his wife / Photo: Photo from social networks

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi with his family / Photo: Photos from social networks

The couple also has two daughters. The eldest daughter is already working as a soldier. The youngest did not follow in her father's footsteps, so she is studying at a medical institute.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi with his daughter / Photo: Photo from social networks

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi with his daughter / Photo: Photo from social networks

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi during a full-scale war

During the full-scale Russian invasion, Valerii Zaluzhnyi showed effectiveness in the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His actions are analyzed in detail by world and Ukrainian military experts.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi / Photo: t.me/a_shtirlitz

In 2022, Valerii Zaluzhnyi entered the list of the most influential people in the world according to Time magazine.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi

Ukrainians also positively assess Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. Thus, in 2022, the sociological group "Rating" conducted a survey among Ukrainians, according to which the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took the tenth place of the "People's Top".

Also, songs were dedicated to Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, in particular, the musician Oisho BTZ - "Zaluzhnyi mutates the movement", and the band "Angie Chalk" - "Zaluzhnyi".

Folk art is also manifested in memes. Thus, Valerii Zaluzhnyi has repeatedly become a hero of jokes about how he expels the invaders from Ukrainian lands.

Meme about Valeriy Zaluzhny / Photo: Photo from social networks

Meme about Valeriy Zaluzhny / Photo: Photo from social networks

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