Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday officially appointed former commander-in-chief of the armed forces Valery Zaluzhny, 50, as ambassador to the United Kingdom.

The popular former general led the Ukrainian army from before Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, until his dismissal by Zelensky in February, when he was replaced by Oleksandr Syrsky.

Zaluzhny was credited with spearheading some of Ukraine’s most successful battles against Russia, including the liberation of Kherson city in November 2022. His celebrity was such that he even featured in street art.

Although he avoided the political spotlight, he was regularly cited as a possible rival to Zelensky given his popularity across society.

The failure of Ukraine’s much-vaunted counter-offensive last year and public disagreements with Zelensky over the course of the war led to his dismissal.

Ukraine has been without an ambassador to the UK since July 2023. Zelensky sacked the then incumbent, Vadym Prystaiko, after he criticised the president’s response during a row over British military aid.

Zelensky first announced he would be naming Zaluzhny as his envoy to London, a key backer of Kyiv, back in March.

On Wednesday the president officially dismissed Zaluzhny from the military on health grounds and on Thursday published a decree confirming the new appointment.

Ukrainian media reported in March that Zaluzhny had been found unfit for military service during a medical examination in winter.