Former army chief Zaluzhnyi claims Ukraine will never join NATO
Valerii Zaluzhnyi stated Ukraine will never join NATO due to outdated alliance tactics, while Russian missile strikes exposed critical Ukrainian air defense shortages.
Former Ukrainian commander-in-chief and current ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, stated that Ukraine will never join NATO, arguing the alliance relies on outdated tactics and remains unprepared for modern warfare.
The remarks coincided with severe Russian aerial bombardments across Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses failed to intercept any of the 28 ballistic and anti-ship missiles launched overnight, including Iskander and Zircon models. Ukrainian officials pointed to a critical shortage of ammunition for U.S.-supplied Patriot systems. The strikes targeted Kyiv and the surrounding region, killing at least 17 people and injuring 44 others.
Separately, reports indicate that Ukraine's new military command has initiated internal restructuring to reshape command networks established under former leadership.
Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, Respect, Seznam Zprávy
Sources
- Respect — Generál Zalužnyj: Ukrajina se k NATO nikdy nepřipojí. Protože Aliance už neví, jak se dnes vedou války
- Hospodářské noviny — NATO je zastaralé, Ukrajina se k němu nikdy nepřipojí, řekl Zalužnyj. Podle generála není aliance připravená na boje 21. století
- Ekonomický deník — Ukrajina prohrává v raketové válce. V noci se jí nepodařilo sestřelit žádnou ruskou střelu
- Seznam Zprávy — Nový šéf ukrajinské armády rozebírá „soukromou“ armádu svého předchůdce
- Deník N — Vývoj bojů (1623. den): Ukrajina v noci nesestřelila ani jednu střelu Iskander. Řešení může mít v rukou Musk
Earlier coverage
- Oct 14, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCRussian advances stall in Ukraine as Moscow targets energy grid ahead of winter
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- Oct 14, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCRussian ground forces stall in Ukraine as energy strikes intensify before winter
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- Oct 13, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCRussian offensive stalls on frontline as grid attacks escalate ahead of winter
- Oct 13, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCRussian frontline advances stall as winter energy strikes escalate