Ukrainian Ambassador Reveals Secret Intelligence Raid, Rift with Zelenskyy

Ukraine's ambassador to Britain, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has disclosed for the first time a dramatic confrontation with President Zelenskyy's administration, including a previously unreported intelligence raid on his military headquarters in 2022. The former army commander, widely considered Zelenskyy's main political challenger, detailed deep disagreements over war strategy that led to his removal from military leadership.

Ukraine’s current ambassador to Britain has broken his silence about a dramatic behind-the-scenes conflict with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including a shocking intelligence raid on his military command center that nearly escalated into an armed confrontation.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the 52-year-old former army commander who many consider Zelenskyy’s primary political challenger, revealed the previously unknown incident during his first public discussion of tensions between the two Ukrainian leaders. The confrontation occurred in September 2022, just months after Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

According to Zaluzhnyi’s account, dozens of domestic intelligence agents unexpectedly appeared at his military headquarters following a heated meeting with Zelenskyy. British officers were present at the facility during the search, which Zaluzhnyi describes as an intimidation tactic.

The situation became so tense that Zaluzhnyi contacted Zelenskyy’s chief of staff with a stark ultimatum. “I will fight with you and have already called in reinforcements to the center of Kyiv for support,” he warned, threatening to deploy military forces to halt the intelligence operation.

Neither Zelenskyy’s administration nor Ukraine’s security service responded to requests for comment about the incident, and the details could not be independently verified.

The intelligence agency had obtained a court warrant claiming to search for a strip club allegedly operated by criminals at that location. However, former employees of the establishment told reporters the club had relocated before the Russian invasion began, suggesting the warrant may have been fabricated.

Zaluzhnyi believes the search was deliberately targeting him. “I told Yermak that I would repel this attack, because I know how to fight,” he said, referring to his conversation with the president’s chief of staff at the time.

The dramatic revelation comes as disagreements between the two leaders over military strategy continued throughout the conflict. Their most significant dispute centered on Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive, which ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

Zaluzhnyi maintains that his original battle plan, developed with NATO assistance, could have succeeded if properly resourced. The strategy called for concentrating forces into what he termed a “single fist” to recapture Zaporizhzhia region and advance to the Sea of Azov, cutting off Russian supply lines to occupied Crimea.

Instead, he says, forces were scattered across multiple fronts, weakening their effectiveness. Two Western defense officials confirmed Zaluzhnyi’s version of how the counteroffensive deviated from initial plans.

The ongoing friction led to Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal as army chief in February 2024, followed by his appointment as ambassador to London. Political observers interpreted the diplomatic posting as Zelenskyy’s attempt to neutralize a potential rival by removing him from Ukraine’s daily operations.

Recent polling data supports concerns about Zaluzhnyi’s political potential. An Ipsos survey from last month shows him leading Zelenskyy 23% to 20% in a hypothetical future election, making him the president’s strongest competitor.

Zelenskyy’s popularity has declined as the war continues, particularly following corruption scandals involving senior officials. The president recently reorganized his leadership team in response to eroding public confidence.

From his London embassy office, decorated with military aircraft posters and children’s battlefield drawings, Zaluzhnyi monitors the ongoing conflict through real-time drone footage. He criticizes current Ukrainian strategy as requiring unrealistic troop numbers and lacking proper technology deployment.

Despite his removal from military leadership, Zaluzhnyi says his interactions with Zelenskyy have remained cordial during their two meetings since his departure. However, he continues receiving offers from campaign consultants and political operatives interested in supporting a future presidential bid.

One notable approach came from Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman who previously worked for Ukraine’s pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. “I thanked him for paying attention to me, but said that I did not need his services,” Zaluzhnyi stated. Manafort did not respond to media inquiries.

The former general insists he won’t discuss political ambitions while the war continues, citing concerns about national unity. “Until the war is over or martial law ends, I am not discussing this and have done nothing toward that,” he explained.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko suggests many Ukrainians view Zaluzhnyi as someone capable of systemic change. “People will vote not only for Zaluzhnyi but also against Zelenskyy — blaming him for the failures of his presidency,” Fesenko observed.

The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive as Russian forces continue advancing along Ukraine’s eastern front, while the United States pressures both sides toward a potential peace agreement. President Trump has proposed a framework calling for post-war elections and security guarantees, which Zelenskyy has accepted in principle.

The disclosure of high-level Ukrainian leadership conflicts risks further polarizing public opinion at a crucial moment in the war effort, potentially undermining the national unity both leaders claim to prioritize.