Overview
- Budanov accepted Zelensky’s offer to head the presidential office, and a presidential adviser said formal nomination procedures have begun.
- Zelensky proposed 34-year-old Mykhailo Fedorov, known for drone and digitalization work, to take over the Defense Ministry as part of a planned restructuring.
- Zelensky said he intends to shift current defense minister Denys Chmygal to lead the Energy Ministry, with the reshuffle requiring parliamentary approval.
- Russian officials denounced Budanov’s elevation, with Dmitri Medvedev labeling him a “terrorist” in a mocking statement.
- Budanov has led military intelligence since 2020, gained prominence for covert operations, and, according to the GUR, has survived more than ten assassination attempts.