Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the country’s military intelligence agency, as his new chief of staff. The move comes at a critical stage of Russia’s nearly four-year-long invasion and amid heightened diplomatic efforts led by the United States to broker a peace deal.

Budanov replaces Andrii Yermak, Zelenskyy’s longtime confidant, who resigned in November following an anti-corruption investigation linked to Ukraine’s energy sector. Yermak’s departure was seen as a major shake-up within the presidential administration, with potential implications for Kyiv’s negotiation strategy and internal political stability.

At 39, Budanov is one of Ukraine’s most prominent wartime figures and has led the military intelligence agency, known as the GUR, since 2020. A career intelligence officer, he rose through the ranks after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and took part in several high-risk operations against Moscow-backed forces before the full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Since the war escalated, Budanov has become the public face of Ukraine’s intelligence operations, frequently issuing strategic warnings about Russia’s long-term ambitions. Under his leadership, the GUR expanded its reach, coordinating intelligence gathering, sabotage, and special operations targeting Russian command centers, logistics hubs, energy assets, and naval forces, including deep inside Russian-held territory.

Budanov’s high-profile role has also made him a prime target for Russia. He has reportedly survived multiple assassination attempts, and in 2023 his wife was hospitalized following suspected heavy metal poisoning. Despite these risks, he has remained a central figure in Ukraine’s security architecture.

His appointment signals a shift toward prioritizing defense, intelligence, and foreign policy at the heart of Ukraine’s government. Budanov has previously been involved in talks with U.S. negotiators and contacts with Russia on prisoner exchanges, though his exact role in ongoing peace negotiations remains unclear. In his first statement after the appointment, Budanov thanked Zelenskyy for his trust, calling the role both an honour and a profound responsibility at a historic moment for Ukraine.

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