Zelensky replaces Ukraine's powerful security service chief

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete January 6, 2026 at 03:26 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

President Zelensky has replaced Vasyl Malyuk as head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) with Maj-Gen Yevhenii Khmara. Malyuk, known for his successful operations against Russia and purging of alleged double agents, had led the SBU since 2022. The reshuffle has drawn criticism within Ukraine, with some fearing a negative impact on the SBU's effectiveness. While Malyuk has been asked to continue leading special operations against Russia, some analysts believe his dismissal is linked to a conflict with Zelensky's new chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov. Others praise Khmara's appointment, citing his experience and involvement in operations against Russia, such as the "Spider Web" drone attacks. The SBU is primarily concerned with internal security and counter-intelligence and, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, it has also played a prominent role in assassinations and sabotage attacks deep inside Russia.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Oleksandr Notevskyi 35% Ivan Stupak ×240% Alpha Group 45% Kyrylo Budanov ×360% Spider Web ×265% Yevhenii Khmara ×575% Russia ×480% Vasyl Malyuk ×785% Ukraine ×390% Volodymyr Zelensky ×490% Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) ×795%

Keywords

sbu 90% security service reshuffle 90% vasyl malyuk 80% counter-intelligence 70% yevhenii khmara 70% internal security 70% spider web attack 60% special operations 60% asymmetric operations 50% russian double agents 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral

Score: -0.10

Source Transparency

Source

BBC News - World

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Ukraine

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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sbu security service reshuffle vasyl malyuk counter-intelligence yevhenii khmara internal security spider web attack special operations asymmetric operations russian double agents

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