Zelenskiy Appoints Head of Military Intelligence as Chief of Staff

UKRAINE - In Brief 02 Jan 2026 by Dmytro Boyarchuk

---

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced today that he has proposed General Kyryl Budanov, head of military intelligence, to take the post of his Chief of Staff, replacing the controversial Andriy Yermak. Budanov is very popular among Ukrainians due to his effectiveness against Russian forces. He has his own political standing, and rumors suggest Zelenskiy may have been wary of Budanov’s popularity, as polls indicate Zelenskiy could lose elections not only to Valeriy Zaluzhny but also to Budanov, if they faced each other in a hypothetical second round. Political observers are speculating about the move. Some see it as an attempt to reduce Yermak’s lingering influence over Zelenskiy. Budanov and Yermak reportedly had a serious conflict, with Yermak making multiple attempts to dismiss Budanov. Others suggest Zelenskiy may be sidelining a potential competitor, as the Chief of Staff role is traditionally highly challenging. Budanov will likely become responsible for mobilization and frontline issues, which could generate negative sentiment. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy appears to be distancing himself from these “toxic” issues, focusing on positive topics such as peace prospects, financial support programs, and successful military operations. Setting aside the conspiracies, the appointment is encouraging. Kyryl Budanov is a capable leader who has demonstrated an ability to solve extremely complex problems. For those hoping Ukraine might accept an unfavorable Russian “peace deal,” this news is not promising.