Zelenskyy Appoints Kyrylo Budanov as Ukraine’s New Chief of Staff Amid War Reset

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as the country’s new Chief of Staff, marking a major reshuffle within the president’s inner circle as Kyiv sharpens its focus on security, defence and diplomatic strategy during the ongoing war with Russia.

Announcing the decision, Zelenskyy said the Office of the President must now concentrate on what he described as the state’s core priorities: national security, strengthening defence capabilities and advancing peace-related efforts. He indicated that the evolving phase of the conflict requires tighter coordination between military planning, intelligence assessment and diplomatic engagement.

Budanov replaces Andrii Yermak, whose departure follows mounting political pressure after anti-corruption agencies began examining alleged irregularities in the energy sector. While Zelenskyy did not directly reference the investigation, the leadership change signals an effort to reinforce discipline, credibility and operational focus at the highest levels of government.

In his first remarks after the appointment, Budanov described the role as both an honour and a heavy responsibility. He said Ukraine was passing through a historic moment in which decisions taken at the centre of power would shape the country’s long-term security and sovereignty.

The move comes at a time when international diplomacy around Ukraine has intensified. The United States and European partners are increasingly engaged in discussions aimed at shaping a potential pathway toward ending the nearly four-year-long war. As Chief of Staff, Budanov will now sit at the intersection of military coordination, intelligence strategy and high-level negotiations with Western allies.

Zelenskyy also announced additional changes within his administration. He proposed Mykhailo Fedorov as the next defence minister, crediting him with accelerating drone warfare capabilities and modernising Ukraine’s digital governance systems. Fedorov replaces Denys Shmyhal, who was thanked for his role in overseeing a sharp expansion in Ukraine’s interceptor drone production during late 2025.

To ensure continuity within the intelligence apparatus, Zelenskyy named Oleh Ivashchenko, previously head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, as Budanov’s successor at military intelligence.

Budanov, 39, is one of Ukraine’s most recognisable wartime figures. A career intelligence officer, he has led Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate since 2020 and gained prominence following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, he has played a central role in shaping Kyiv’s intelligence posture, combining strategic messaging with covert operations far beyond active front lines.

Under his leadership, military intelligence expanded its operational reach, coordinating sabotage, reconnaissance and special operations targeting Russian logistics, command structures, energy infrastructure and naval assets, including strikes in occupied territories and deep inside Russia.

Analysts say Budanov’s move into the presidential office is unusual but potentially strategic. His experience in intelligence-driven negotiations, prisoner exchanges and coordination with Western security partners could strengthen Ukraine’s position as it balances battlefield realities with diplomatic pressure.

With this appointment, Zelenskyy appears to be consolidating wartime authority around figures with deep operational experience, signalling that intelligence, defence planning and diplomacy will now be even more tightly integrated at the heart of Ukraine’s leadership.