Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
Valeriy Zaluzhny, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and current Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, has published his memoir, My War, recounting his personal and professional journey. The book delves into a mysterious encounter with a fortune-teller 25 years ago, who allegedly foresaw a major conflict in Ukraine.
A Prophecy of War
In excerpts from the book, shared by Ukrainian outlets Telegraf and Strana.ua, Zaluzhny recalls an encounter that took place during his days as a military cadet. While traveling on a train from Odesa to Zhytomyr, he met a woman described as an elegant and sophisticated fortune-teller in her thirties. She offered to read the fortunes of passengers on board.
Zaluzhny admitted being deeply unsettled by the idea, remarking, “I was terrified to the point of feeling a chill run down my spine.” After reading the fortunes of other cadets, the woman sat across from him, locking eyes with him before saying she could hear “cries, moans, and the weeping of children.” Then, abruptly, she stopped, stating she could not continue.
Quoting the book, Strana.ua reported: “She covered her head with her hands, resting her elbows on the table. Everyone around us watched in tense silence. Then she said, ‘I saw a terrible war here, and you will be its main commander.'”
The Themes of My War
Released in December, My War addresses Zaluzhny’s reflections on overcoming personal and professional challenges. According to him, the memoir aims to inspire the youth, conveying that “anything is possible in life if you truly desire it.”
“The book is about three wars,” Zaluzhny explains. “The first is the war against my fears, which held me back. The second is the war against people who obstruct my goals. And finally, the war against circumstances that create obstacles in life.”
Future Plans for the Series
Zaluzhny began working on My War in March 2023 and plans to release two additional volumes titled Our War and Their War, exploring the collective and international dimensions of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.
Career and Leadership
Valeriy Zaluzhny served as Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from 2021 until 2024. His tenure ended in February 2024, when President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed him from his position. Media reports linked this decision to disagreements between the two, particularly after Zaluzhny published an article in The Economist suggesting that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict had reached a stalemate and could drag on for years, potentially exhausting Ukraine.
Zelensky publicly disagreed with this assessment, while Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelensky’s office, stated that the dismissal was necessary to “revise military tactics that failed to achieve the expected results in 2023.” Following his removal, Zaluzhny was declared unfit for further military service and appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Impact of the Book
My War is expected to attract significant attention for its insights into Ukraine’s military leadership, the challenges of war, and Zaluzhny’s personal reflections. It provides a unique perspective on the complexities of leadership during a time of national crisis and serves as a testament to his resilience.
