Ukraine’s Zelenskyy names GUR chief Kyrylo Budanov as top aide

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy names GUR chief Kyrylo Budanov as top aideMilitary intelligence chief has been credited with a series of daring operations against Russia since it launched its invasion.Published On 2 Jan 2026Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has named military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff as Ukraine and the United States work on a 20-point plan that could end Russia’s war.“Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defence and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations, and the Office of ​the President will primarily serve the ‌fulfillment of these tasks of our state,” Zelenskyy said on X on Friday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Putin says Russia will win war in Ukraine in New Year’s Eve addresslist 2 of 3Finland seizes ship sailing from Russia after suspected cable sabotagelist 3 of 3Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,407end of list“Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to deliver results,” ‌he added.The new post for the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defence was announced at a key moment in the nearly four-year war with Russia after Zelenskyy announced on Wednesday that the US-brokered deal to end the conflict was “90 percent” ready.Budanov has been credited with a series of daring operations against Russia since it launched an all-out assault against Ukraine in 2022. The 39-year-old has run the GUR since being ⁠appointed to the post by Zelenskyy in August 2020.A career military intelligence officer, Budanov rose through the defence establishment after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Budanov has become a prominent face of Kyiv’s intelligence effort, regularly appearing in interviews and briefings that mix strategic signaling with psychological pressure on Moscow.He has frequently warned of Russia’s long-term intentions toward Ukraine and the region, while portraying the war as an existential struggle for the country’s statehood.