Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced plans to replace Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as part of a broader governmental reshuffle. This decision follows a series of strategic military operations during Maliuk’s tenure, which began in February 2023.
In a statement shared on social media, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for Maliuk’s service, particularly his role in various high-profile missions. These include a significant drone operation targeting Russian bombers positioned far from Ukrainian borders, as well as strikes on a Russian submarine and assaults on the bridge linking Russia to the occupied region of Crimea. His leadership has drawn praise from analysts who noted an enhancement in the SBU’s operational effectiveness, especially following the dismissal of his predecessor, Ivan Bakanov, in July 2022 for failing to address issues related to Russian espionage.
Zelenskiy emphasized the need for more aggressive military strategies against Russian forces. “There must be more Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier and the Russian state, and more solid results in eliminating the enemy,” he stated. He has tasked Maliuk to concentrate on combat operations moving forward, highlighting the importance of innovative tactics in the ongoing conflict.
Maliuk confirmed his resignation on the Telegram platform, indicating he would remain within the SBU to lead initiatives related to “world-class asymmetric special operations.” This transition comes alongside the appointment of Kyrylo Budanov, the current military intelligence chief, as Zelenskiy’s new chief of staff.
In addition to these changes, Zelenskiy has announced plans to appoint new ministers for defense and energy. Mykhailo Fedorov, the deputy head of government and minister for digital transformation, is set to take over the defense portfolio from Denys Shmyhal. Following this shift, Shmyhal will assume the role of energy minister. These appointments await parliamentary confirmation, marking a significant shift in Ukraine’s military and governmental landscape.
As Ukraine continues to confront ongoing challenges in the conflict with Russia, these leadership changes may signal a more aggressive and focused approach in both military strategy and administrative efficiency.
