Ukraine’s veteran military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, is set to become President Volodymyr Zelensky’s new closest confidant. The Ukrainian head of state announced on Friday that the 39-year-old official will assume the position of head of the Presidential Office, one of the most powerful roles within the country’s executive branch. Zelensky said Budanov has “special experience and the strength needed to deliver results” at a critical moment for Ukraine. Budanov will replace Andriy Yermak, who resigned about a month ago amid a corruption scandal that shook Ukraine’s political leadership. Yermak’s departure marked a significant shift within Zelensky’s inner circle, as he had long been regarded as a key adviser and the president’s main interlocutor with the United States. With this appointment, Zelensky is turning to a figure rooted firmly in national security and intelligence.
Since 2020, Budanov has led Ukraine’s military intelligence service, known as the HUR, and has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the shadow war against Russia. Under his leadership, Ukrainian intelligence has been linked to high-profile operations, including attacks on strategic infrastructure such as the bridge connecting Crimea to Russian territory and targeted actions against senior Russian military figures in Moscow. Budanov also took part in Ukraine’s delegation during negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the war. Following his appointment, Budanov emphasized the weight of the responsibility he is assuming.
“It is an honor and a responsibility for me to focus on the crucial issues of our state’s strategic security at this historic moment for Ukraine,” he said. His elevation to the presidential office, however, has drawn sharp attention in Moscow, where Budanov has long been listed among the Kremlin’s most wanted adversaries. Reactions from Russia were swift and hostile. Moscow-based political analyst Sergei Markov described the move as provocative, claiming Zelensky had appointed the country’s “main terrorist” as head of his presidential office. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev went further, stating that the appointment would not help Zelensky “survive,” referencing alleged recent attempts to target
Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the same time, Zelensky confirmed that a new head of Ukraine’s military intelligence has already been appointed. The post will be taken over by Lieutenant General Oleh Ivashchenko, 56, a former chief of foreign intelligence. According to Zelensky, Ivashchenko’s primary task will be to further weaken Russia’s economic capacity and reduce its military potential, particularly by targeting oil exports and the Russian arms industry. The reshuffle at the top of Ukraine’s power structure comes at a moment of intense political and military pressure.
As Kyiv seeks to strengthen its position both on the battlefield and in diplomatic negotiations, the reconfiguration of the presidential office signals a clear shift toward security-driven leadership. At the same time, Yermak’s resignation following corruption-related searches serves as a reminder that Ukraine is also fighting a critical internal battle, where political stability remains essential to sustaining its broader war effort and international credibility.
