In a significant wartime reshuffle, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed the head of the country's military intelligence agency as his new chief of staff. The move comes as American diplomats lead a concerted push to broker an end to Russia's nearly four-year-long invasion.
Major Security-Focused Shakeup
President Zelenskyy announced the appointment of General Kyrylo Budanov, the 39-year-old leader of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), on Friday. The president framed the decision as part of a broader effort to sharpen the government's focus on national security, defense development, and the critical diplomatic track of peace talks.
"Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to achieve results," Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing that the office of the president directly oversees these strategic priorities.
Budanov, in a message on Telegram, called his new role "both an honor and a responsibility — at a historic time for Ukraine." He pledged to concentrate on the state's strategic security issues.
The president dismissed his previous chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, after anti-corruption authorities launched an investigation into alleged graft within the energy sector.
New Defense Minister and Further Appointments
In his evening address, Zelenskyy unveiled more changes to his team. He proposed Mykhailo Fedorov, the current 34-year-old Minister of Digital Transformation, to take over as the new Minister of Defense.
Fedorov is widely credited with spearheading the integration of advanced drone technology into Ukraine's armed forces and launching several successful e-government platforms. He replaces Denys Shmyhal, who assumed the post in July 2025 during a prior government overhaul. Zelenskyy thanked Shmyhal and noted he would be offered another government role.
The president also commended the defense ministry for reaching a milestone of producing more than 1,000 interceptor drones per day in December 2025.
Earlier, Zelenskyy appointed Foreign Intelligence Service head Oleh Ivashchenko to succeed Budanov as the chief of military intelligence.
Budanov: From Spy Chief to Presidential Aide
General Kyrylo Budanov is one of Ukraine's most recognizable and popular wartime figures. A career military intelligence officer, he rose through the ranks after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and participated in operations against Moscow-backed separatists before the full-scale 2022 invasion.
Under his leadership, the GUR expanded its operations, coordinating intelligence, sabotage, and special missions targeting Russian military capabilities deep behind front lines and inside Russian territory. His appointment to lead the presidential office marks an unusual shift, placing an intelligence professional at the heart of political and diplomatic coordination.
Ihor Reiterovych, a Kyiv-based political expert, noted that Budanov's experience in negotiations, including with the U.S., and the GUR's contacts with Russia on issues like prisoner exchanges, make him a natural fit for the current diplomatic context.
Diplomatic Push and Ongoing Violence
The reshuffle occurs amid a major U.S.-led diplomatic initiative. U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reported a "productive call" this week with key European allies and Ukraine to discuss advancing the peace process.
However, efforts faced a new obstacle when Moscow vowed to toughen its stance after allegedly blaming Kyiv for a drone attack on a residence of President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine denied the accusation, calling it a ruse to derail talks.
In his New Year's address, Zelenskyy claimed a peace deal was "90% ready," but warned the final 10%—including contentious territorial issues—would determine the fate of Ukraine and Europe.
Meanwhile, violence continued. Russian authorities claimed a Ukrainian drone strike on a cafe in the occupied Kherson region killed 28 people, including two minors—a charge Kyiv strongly denied, stating it strikes only military targets.
On Friday, Russian forces struck a residential area of Kharkiv, injuring at least 19 people, including a 6-month-old baby. Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 86 of 116 long-range drones launched by Russia overnight. Russia also reported intercepting dozens of Ukrainian drones over its own regions, with one missile strike reported in Belgorod.
