Budanov officially appointed Head of Presidential Office, Ivashchenko takes over HUR

The relevant decrees were published on the President's official website, Ukrinform reports.

In particular, under Decree No. 3/2026, Kyrylo Budanov was dismissed from the position of Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

By Decree No. 5/2026, Budanov was appointed Head of the Presidential Office.

In addition, by Decrees No. 6/2026 and No. 7/2026, the President dismissed Oleh Ivashchenko from the post of Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service and appointed him Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.

As Ukrinform reported, Zelensky announced the relevant decisions earlier today. In particular, he proposed that Kyrylo Budanov, then head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, take over as Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine.

According to him, "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."

Zelensky noted that Budanov has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to achieve results. He instructed the new Head of the Presidential Office, in cooperation with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and other relevant leaders and institutions, to update and submit for approval the strategic foundations of the defense and development of the state and the next steps.

In addition, following a meeting with the Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, the President said that Oleh Ivashchenko would continue serving the Ukrainian state in the position of military intelligence of Ukraine.

On November 28, Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Head of the Presidential Office Andrii Yermak, who had earlier submitted his resignation.

Kyrylo Budanov had headed military intelligence since August 2020.

Oleh Ivashchenko was appointed Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service in March 2024.