President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyrylo Budanov during the official announcement of Budanov’s appointment as Head of the Office of the President

President Zelensky names spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new Chief of Staff to lead Ukraine’s wartime strategic security.

In a decisive move to centralize military and security expertise at the heart of government, President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed the nation’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, as the new Head of the Presidential Office.  

The appointment, announced on Friday, January 2, 2026, signals a major shift in Ukraine's governance. 

Traditionally, the role of Chief of Staff has been occupied by civilian political figures. However, Zelensky emphasized that the current stage of the war demands a leadership structure focused on defense, security, and high-level diplomacy.  

Why Budanov?

Kyrylo Budanov is a decorated veteran and a highly popular figure in Ukraine, known for his leadership of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) since 2020. His elevation comes as Ukraine navigates intense battlefield pressure and complex U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to secure a peace deal.  

"Ukraine needs a greater focus on security, the military, and diplomacy," Zelensky stated. "Kyrylo has the specialized experience and sufficient strength to deliver results in these critical areas."  

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyrylo Budanov during the official announcement of Budanov’s appointment as Head of the Office of the President.


Resignation and Reform

Budanov takes over from Andriy Yermak, a longtime confidant of the President who resigned in late 2025 following a high-profile corruption scandal. Known as "Operation Midas," the investigation into alleged graft in the energy sector had sparked public outcry, making a leadership change at the top of the administration inevitable to restore public trust.  

Broader Security Shake-up

As part of this reshuffle, Zelensky has also overhauled other key security posts to ensure continuity:

Oleh Ivashchenko, formerly the head of Foreign Intelligence, has been appointed to succeed Budanov as the new chief of military intelligence (GUR).  

Changes were also announced in the leadership of the border service.  

Mikhail Fedorov, a digitalization specialist, has been proposed as the new Defense Minister to sharpen the focus on drone warfare.  

Budanov, known for his cryptic public style and success in covert operations, stated that his priority in this new role is safeguarding Ukraine’s "strategic security interests" during this historic period.