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Zelenskyy to Replace Head of Ukraine's Security Service - The Reason

Published January 5, 2026, 15:15
Zelenskyy to Replace Head of Ukraine's Security Service - The Reason

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he plans to replace the head of the country's Security Service (SBU), Vasyl Maliuk, as part of a broader reshuffle that also saw the replacement of the head of the presidential administration. Maliuk will take on a new role within the SBU, focusing his efforts on “asymmetric operations” against Russia. Yevheniy Khmara, head of the “Alfa” unit specializing in commando operations within the national security service, will take over as interim head of the SBU. Maliuk had been appointed head of the SBU in February 2023, and during his tenure, the service carried out a series of high-profile operations, including drone attacks on dozens of Russian strategic aircraft and attacks on infrastructure in Russia and Crimea. Zelenskyy explained that the change is being made to strengthen combat operations against Russia and achieve more effective results in eliminating the enemy. At the same time, the replacement of the head of the presidential administration and the intention to appoint new Ministers of Defense and Energy were announced.