A former advisor to Zaluzhny discussed plans for an offensive against Russia.

This was stated by advisor and consultant to the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny, Major General Victor Nazarov, in an interview with BBC on Sunday, February 2.

Zaluzhny Suggested Moving Towards Belgorod

According to Nazarov, the operation currently taking place in the Kursk region is not unique. He pointed out that Zaluzhny suggested entering Russian territory back in 2022.

"This operation is not unique... How did the idea for this offensive arise? Back when Zaluzhny was still in charge, in December 2022, during one of the meetings I attended at the NSDC, we were preparing proposals, and I personally participated in them," Nazarov noted.

He added that during one of the meetings, Valeriy Zaluzhny outlined the operations that Ukraine is currently conducting. In particular, this includes stabilizing the frontline in Donbas without active offensive actions, preventing Russians from basing their fleet or aviation in Crimea, striking deep into Russian territory, and shifting military operations onto enemy soil.

"At that time, in the variant we discussed, it was about the Belgorod region. Such directions of action were proposed in order to create a very serious threat to the enemy. From my side, I suggested more decisive goals," explained Victor Nazarov.

According to him, the operation in Belgorod would have deprived the Russians of the ability to shell Kharkiv. Additionally, it would have posed a threat to the northeastern flank of resource supplies to Donbas.

"Since they (the proposals — Ed.) were not implemented, and Zaluzhny was subsequently removed, I got the impression that they did not interest anyone. Then things began to unfold as we saw throughout 2024. I observed signs that all five components we had laid out were being realized," Nazarov said.

Recall that earlier, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Valeriy Zaluzhny, stated that the situation on the front had worsened due to the delay of allies in assisting Ukraine. He explained that a protracted war had begun.

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny also revealed that his relationship with the Office of the President of Ukraine deteriorated day by day. He wrote about this in his book "My War."