Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed appointing Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, as the new head of the presidential office.
Zelensky announced the decision on social media on Friday, and Budanov later confirmed that he had accepted the offer, describing the appointment as a major step in his service to the country.
Writing on Telegram, he said, “I accepted the offer from the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to head the Office of the Head of State.”
“I consider the position of the head of the President’s Office as another milestone of responsibility to the country. For me, it’s an honor and a responsibility to focus on the critically important issues of our state’s strategic security at this historic time for Ukraine,” he added.
Budanov also thanked his colleagues at military intelligence, writing, “Thank you to all my combat comrades and the entire team of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for our joint work. We will continue to do our job — fight against the enemy, defend Ukraine, and work towards achieving a just peace.”
“We will continue to fight together for a free and safe future of Ukraine!” he concluded.
No official announcement has yet been made regarding Budanov’s successor at the Main Intelligence Directorate. However, Meduza reported Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak as saying the post will be taken over by Oleh Ivashchenko, the current head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
The position of head of the presidential office has been vacant since late November, when Zelensky dismissed Andriy Yermak amid mounting allegations of corruption at the highest levels of government. In early December, Zelensky had named Budanov among a shortlist of five candidates under consideration for the role.
Yermak’s dismissal followed a series of high-profile investigations linked to a widening corruption probe in the energy sector. In late November, investigators from Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office conducted searches at Yermak’s home.
The investigation centers on alleged large-scale embezzlement at Energoatom, the state operator of Ukraine’s nuclear power stations. According to investigators, the scheme involved kickbacks worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Authorities have named Tymur Mindich, a close associate of Zelensky, as the alleged architect and one of the primary beneficiaries.
Mindich’s property was searched on Nov. 10, though he reportedly left for Israel shortly before the raid. Zelensky later imposed sanctions on Mindich and businessman Alexander Tsukerman, who is also believed to be in Israel. Both are now wanted in connection with the case.
The investigation has triggered upheaval across senior levels of government. Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk was dismissed, Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko was suspended pending further probes, and several suspects were taken into custody. Former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, described as close to the president, was also arrested.
