Ukraine's intel chief faces dismissal amid internal turmoil
The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering the possibility of dismissing the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, Kyrylo Budanov, reports the NV portal, citing sources in the security services. A "more loyal person" may be appointed in his place.
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According to the portal's source, Budanov may be dismissed in December. The most active supporters of this decision are reportedly the Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, and the Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Oleksandr Poklad. It is Poklad who, according to the source, might succeed Budanov.
Budanov to be dismissed?
Another NV source suggested that some public actions and statements by the head of HUR have harmed Ukraine. This includes special operations in Africa and defence procurement in other countries.
"There is an objective reality and objectively wrong decisions. Should there be accountability for this? The president [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] will decide," conveyed the source.
SBU denies: "Russian services' disinformation"
The SBU press office denied the information about plans to appoint Poklad as the head of HUR, calling such reports "disinformation from Russian special services."
"Rumours of blocking any HUR units or other elements of Ukraine's Defence Forces are part of a hostile strategy aimed, among other things, at creating artificial tension among the military leadership of our state," declared the Ukrainian special service.
At the end of September, a source associated with the security structures told NV that "there is a possibility of Budanov's dismissal." According to them, the decision was planned to be made during Zelensky's visit to the USA, and supposedly compromising materials were being sought on Budanov.
Who is Kyrylo Budanov?
Kyrylo Budanov is a Ukrainian military officer who has served as the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence (HUR) since August 2020.
In August 2016, he participated in an operation in Crimea, during which there was a clash with Russian special forces. In April 2019, an explosive device was placed under Budanov's car, which detonated prematurely, injuring one of the assailants.
During the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Budanov played a key role in intelligence and special operations, contributing to the effective defence of the country.
In November 2023, his wife, Marianna Budanova, was poisoned with heavy metals.
