Budanov is no longer in intelligence: Zelenskyy makes series of appointments
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Office of the President)
After a month of speculation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has finally decided on the new head of the Office of the President. However, this appointment has triggered a series of other personnel changes.
Here’s what is known about the new appointments and how leadership in the Office of the President and intelligence services will change.
Presidential Office
Just yesterday, in an evening address, Zelenskyy hinted at important decisions that were to be announced today. In the afternoon, those decisions were indeed made public.
Following the dismissal of Andriy Yermak from the Office of the President, several candidates were considered for his replacement. Among them were the Head of the Defense Intelligence (HUR) Kyrylo Budanov, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa, and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya. Zelenskyy himself named these candidates in December. By the end of 2025, the President announced that he had made his choice. Today, January 2, the name was officially announced.
Kyrylo Budanov will become the head of the Office of the President. While the official decree has not yet been published, Budanov himself confirmed that he accepted the President’s offer.
HUR (Defense Intelligence of Ukraine)
After Zelenskyy announced Budanov’s appointment to the Office of the President, media reports indicated that intelligence officer Oleh Ivashchenko, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, would take over HUR. A few hours later, the President himself confirmed this.
"From today, Oleh Ivashchenko will continue serving our state and carrying out tasks to limit Russia’s military capabilities at the positions of Ukraine’s military intelligence," Zelenskyy said, although this decree has not yet been officially published.
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Oleh Ivashchenko (President's Telegram)
State Border Guard Service (DPSU)
Another personnel decision involves a change in the approach to the work of the State Border Guard Service, which will also include a new head.
Zelenskyy said that the Minister of Internal Affairs will soon present candidates to replace the current DPSU chief, while the current head, Serhii Deineko, will continue to work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
State Bureau of Investigation (DBR)
Today, Zelenskyy also announced plans to update the State Bureau of Investigation. A presidential bill is expected to be drafted in January and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada as urgent. No further details were provided.
Defense Forces
The President said that Pavlo Palisa is working on reforms in the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
"In the coming weeks, (Pavlo Palisa - ed.) will engage with brigades and military command to identify solutions that will be effective," Zelenskyy wrote.
The head of state also noted that modernization of military education is being prepared, which, in his view, should be based on the real experience of defending Ukraine.
Zelenskyy previously announced changes to several heads of the Regional Military Administrations. However, he did not specify any names or timelines.
