Zelensky ready to fire spy chief – Ukrainian media

Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov could soon be forced to resign, and his successor is likely to have already been chosen, the New Voice (NV) news site reported on Sunday, citing a law enforcement agency source. 

Rumors of Budanov’s dismissal began to circulate shortly after Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky sacked half of the cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba and Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Olga Stefanishina.

It was also reported that there have been “serious tensions” between Budanov, the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), and Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak – described by The Times as the de facto ruler of Ukraine – which could be a factor in his potential removal. 

Commenting on the rumors that he will be fired, the NV’s source said that this “option exists.”

However, he denied reports that the intelligence chief would follow in the footsteps of Ukraine’s former top general, Valery Zaluzhny, by being appointed as an ambassador abroad. 

According to the source, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleg Ivashchenko, is likely to succeed Budanov. 

There have been no official statements from the HUR so far. 

Budanov was appointed as military intelligence chief in 2020, and previously served as deputy director of the Department of Foreign Intelligence. 

While it is typical of Zelensky to conduct purges after battlefield setbacks, some view the recent mass firing of ministers as an attempt by Yermak to concentrate power. 

A member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Sergey Rakhmanin, told the NV last week that the talks about Budanov’s possible dismissal were “precisely a sign” that his relationship with Yermak had deteriorated. 

“As a rule, as soon as rumors start to appear that someone might leave their position, confirmation soon follows that, for one reason or another, either the person has quarreled with the head of the office or their relationship has worsened,” he added.