Kyiv, January 2nd
Reuters
—
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy named Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief as his top adviser on Friday, putting the popular military leader at the center of decision-making as Kiev seeks to shore up its defenses against involvement in Russian and U.S.-backed peace talks.
The appointment of Kirillo Budanov, a decorated military veteran widely respected by the Ukrainian people, as chief of staff to the president marks a major shift in the position traditionally held by civilians who have focused primarily on domestic politics.
Budanov, 39, will replace Andriy Yermak, a longtime close friend of Zelensky’s. He was a widely criticized power broker who resigned in November after a corruption scandal stoked public anger as Ukraine battled for survival against Russia.
Zelenskiy will hope the appointment will help restore confidence in his leadership and state institutions at a difficult time, with Russia advancing on the battlefield and the United States pressuring Kiev to end the nearly four-year war quickly.
Writing in X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine “needs to put even more emphasis” on security, military and diplomacy.
“Kyrillo has professional experience in these areas and has sufficient strength to achieve results,” Zelenskyy wrote about X.
Budanov said in a statement that he accepted the offer and would focus on “the strategic security of our country.”
Late on Friday, President Zelenskiy said he would appoint Oleh Ivashchenko, the current head of foreign intelligence, as the new head of military intelligence, and that he would also replace him as head of the border service.
Budanov has headed the Defense Ministry’s Intelligence Directorate (HUR) since 2020, bringing with him a track record of overseeing covert operations and other operations against the Russian military.
He has also led negotiations with Russia regarding a prisoner exchange.
Budanov frequently appears in the media and is known for his restrained style and often cryptic comments about the alleged behavior of Ukrainians inside Russia.
In a 2023 interview with Reuters, he said his public profile was a key part of the “information war” against Moscow.
Budanov, who survived numerous assassination attempts, began his career as a special forces member, serving in the east after Russia illegally annexed Crimea and its proxies occupied the eastern tip of Ukraine. He was injured three times.
Departing from a scandalous past
Mr. Budanov’s predecessor, Mr. Yermak, was nicknamed Ukraine’s “gray cardinal” because of his behind-the-scenes power and influence. He resigned on November 28, hours after corruption enforcement officers searched his home.
Investigators are investigating a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector that involved Zelenskiy’s former business partners and senior officials.
Yermak, who was also the chief negotiator for the Kiev peace talks, has not been named as a suspect. But even before the attack on his home, some members of parliament and Mr Zelenskiy’s party had called for his removal, saying he was responsible as the president’s right-hand man.
