Budanov joins the National Security and Defence Council – Zelenskyy's decree
Kyrylo Budanov (Photo: Valentyna Polishchuk / LIGA.net)

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed a new head of his office Kyrylo Budanov to the National Security and Defense Council. This decree was published on the president's website.

According to the document, Budanov was appointed to the Council.

Read also
Budanov heads the Presidential Office – first conclusions and forecasts

At the same time, Oleh Ivashchenko were removed from the NSDC – the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR), who on January 2 led The Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) after Budanov.

The head of the Foreign Intelligence is a member of the Council, but the head of the HUR is not. So far, the position of the head of the SZR remains vacant.

With his current decree, Zelenskyy has introduced another changes to the NSDC staff, approved in July 2025.

  • Also on the evening of January 5, after the resignation of SSU head Malyuk, the president made a number of personnel decisions in the special service. In particular, Zelenskyy promoted major general Poklad to first deputy head of the SSU.