Zelenskyy Moves to Put Ukraine’s Top Spy Kyrylo Budanov in Charge of the Presidential Office

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), as the next chief of the Presidential Office, signaling a potential major shift in Kyiv’s wartime leadership structure, Zelenskyy stated on X on January 2.

The President said he has already instructed the new head of the Presidential Office to begin preparing updated strategic foundations for Ukraine’s defense and long-term development—suggesting the transition may already be underway.

“At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defense 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 following his meeting with Budanov.

According to Zelenskyy, Budanov’s background makes him uniquely suited for the role.

“Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to deliver results,” the President added.

Zelenskyy said he tasked the new Presidential Office chief—working in coordination with Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council secretary and other senior officials—with updating and submitting a revised national defense and development strategy for approval.

“I also instructed the new Head of the Office of the President, in cooperation with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and other relevant leaders and institutions, to update and submit for approval the strategic foundations of our state’s defense and development, as well as the subsequent steps,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Budanov confirmed that he had accepted the offer, describing the role as a continuation of his service to the country.

“I have accepted the proposal of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to head the Office of the President,” Budanov said. “I continue to serve Ukraine. I see the position of Head of the Presidential Office as another line of responsibility to the country.”

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He stressed that the appointment comes at a critical moment for Ukraine, with a clear focus on strategic security and defense.

“For me, it is an honor and a responsibility—at a historic time for Ukraine—to concentrate on the critically important issues of our state’s strategic security,” Budanov said.

Budanov also thanked his colleagues at Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, signaling continuity rather than a break with his previous work.

“I thank all my brothers-in-arms and the entire team of the Main Intelligence Directorate for our joint work. We will continue to do what must be done—strike the enemy, defend Ukraine, and work toward achieving a just peace,” he added.

Earlier, Budanov disclosed that Russian special services had ordered the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), Denis “WhiteRex” Kapustin, killed and allocated $500,000 to carry out the operation. Instead, Ukrainian intelligence staged Kapustin’s death, preserved his life, and identified both the handlers and executors involved in the plot.

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