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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday appointed military intelligence chief Kirillo Budanov as his new chief of staff, as the United States leads a diplomatic push to end the nearly four-year war in Russia.
In announcing Budanov’s appointment, Zelensky said Ukraine needed to focus on areas under the jurisdiction of the presidential administration, such as security issues, the development of defense and security forces, and peace negotiations.
“At this time, Ukraine needs to place greater emphasis on security issues, the development of the Ukrainian defense and security forces, and the trajectory of diplomatic negotiations, and the presidential administration will primarily work to fulfill these tasks of the state,” Zelenskiy said in a post on X.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s former chief of staff, resigned after anti-corruption authorities raided properties linked to him as part of an investigation into corruption allegations in the energy sector.
The 39-year-old Budanov, nicknamed “The Man Without a Smile” in Ukrainian media, is one of the country’s most famous and popular wartime figures.
He has been heading Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as HUR, since 2020.
The Kiev native studied at the military academy in Odessa before being sent to eastern Ukraine during Russia’s first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, where he is said to have participated in special operations and intelligence missions.
Budanov himself did not reveal much about his military exploits, other than to say that he was wounded three times, including once by shrapnel near his heart. He had a gunshot wound to the elbow, and his right arm is still visibly stiff.
According to a HUR spokesperson, Budanov has been the target of “more than 10” attacks.
His car exploded in Kiev in 2019, an attack believed to be carried out by Russian security services at the time.
Ukrainian intelligence
Since Russia’s all-out invasion, Budanov has become a prominent face of Kiev’s intelligence operations, regularly appearing in interviews and briefings that combine strategic signals and psychological pressure against Moscow.
He has frequently warned of Russia’s long-term intentions for Ukraine and the region, portraying the war as an existential struggle for statehood.
Under Budanov, the HUR expanded its operational scope and coordinated intelligence, sabotage, and special operations to degrade Russia’s military capabilities far beyond the front lines.
Ukrainian officials have credited military intelligence with operations targeting Russian command, logistics, energy infrastructure, and naval assets, including attacks deep within Russian territory and occupied territories.
His appointment to the top post in the presidential administration marks an unusual shift, placing the current intelligence chief at the center of Ukraine’s political and diplomatic coordination.
President Zelenskiy framed the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen his focus on security, defense development and diplomacy.
“Kyrilo has professional experience in these areas and is strong enough to achieve results,” Zelenskiy said.
Budanov said on Telegram that his new role is “both an honor and a responsibility to focus on the vitally important issue of the country’s strategic security at a historic time for Ukraine.”
Additional sources of information • AP, AFP