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Zelensky Installs Budanov as Chief of Staff, Taps Fedorov for Defense in Security Shake-Up

The overhaul signals a turn toward military intelligence–driven governance to speed battlefield adaptation.

Overview

  • President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed former military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov to lead the presidential administration, citing a move to strengthen his team for peace talks.
  • Zelensky named Mykhailo Fedorov as the next defense minister to accelerate technological modernization, with the nomination requiring approval by the Verkhovna Rada.
  • Denys Shmyhal, who had been overseeing the Defense Ministry, is slated to take the Energy Ministry post that has been vacant since a November corruption scandal.
  • Oleh Ivashchenko has taken over the HUR military intelligence service after Budanov moved into the presidential administration role.
  • SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk resigned after consultation with Zelensky, with General Major Yevhenii Khmara serving as acting director, while Malyuk shifts to operations as criticism of his removal continues.