In a significant wartime reshuffle, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday appointed the head of the country's military intelligence, General Kyrylo Budanov, as his new chief of staff. This high-profile change comes at a critical juncture, as the United States spearheads a renewed diplomatic initiative to find an end to Russia's nearly four-year-long invasion of Ukraine.
A Wartime Spy Chief Takes the Helm
Announcing the decision, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine must now concentrate intensely on security matters, the development of its defense and security forces, and the ongoing peace negotiations. These areas fall directly under the purview of the presidential office, which Budanov will now lead.
The 39-year-old General Kyrylo Budanov is one of Ukraine's most recognised and popular figures since the full-scale war began. He has led the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) since 2020. A career military intelligence officer, Budanov rose through the ranks after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. He participated in special operations and intelligence missions against Moscow-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine before the 2022 invasion, reportedly being wounded in one such operation.
Under his command, the GUR expanded its reach, coordinating intelligence, sabotage, and special operations aimed at degrading Russian military capabilities deep behind front lines. These operations have targeted Russian command centres, logistics hubs, energy infrastructure, and naval assets, including strikes inside Russian territory.
Strategic Shift Amid Diplomacy and Violence
Budanov's move from the shadows of intelligence to the centre of political and diplomatic coordination is highly unusual. Zelenskyy framed it as a step to sharpen focus on core security and defence issues. "Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to achieve results," the President said. Budanov will be replaced as GUR chief by Oleh Ivashchenko, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.
On his Telegram channel, Budanov called his new role "both an honor and a responsibility - at a historic time for Ukraine - to focus on the critically important issues of the state's strategic security."
This appointment follows the dismissal of the previous chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, after anti-corruption officials launched an investigation into alleged graft in the energy sector.
Escalating Attacks and Diplomatic Moves
The leadership change unfolds against a backdrop of continued violence and fragile diplomacy. Russian authorities claimed on Friday that the death toll from a Ukrainian drone strike on a cafe and hotel in the occupied Kherson village of Khorly had risen to 27, including two minors, with 31 hospitalised. Ukraine's military spokesman, Dmytro Lykhovii, strongly denied attacking civilian targets, stating forces strike only lawful military and energy targets.
In his New Year's address, Zelenskyy indicated a peace deal was "90% ready," but warned the final 10%—which includes contentious territorial issues—would decide the fate of Ukraine and Europe. US diplomatic efforts, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and adviser Jared Kushner, reported a "productive call" with European and Ukrainian security advisers this week to advance the peace process.
However, these efforts faced a new obstacle when Moscow vowed to toughen its stance after blaming Kyiv for a drone attack on a residence of President Vladimir Putin—a claim Ukraine denied as a ploy to derail talks.
Meanwhile, fighting continued. Zelenskyy reported a Russian missile strike on a residential area of Kharkiv on Friday, injuring at least 19 people, including a 6-month-old infant. Earlier, the city of Zaporizhzhia endured one of its most massive drone attacks, damaging dozens of buildings. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 116 long-range drones overnight, with 86 intercepted. Russia, in turn, claimed its defences shot down 64 Ukrainian drones over several regions, with the border city of Belgorod hit by a missile.
