Zelensky appoints Khmara as acting head of Security Service of Ukraine

According to Ukrinform, the corresponding Decree No. 19/2026 has been published on the website of the President of Ukraine.

“The head of the Special Operations Center ‘A’ of the Security Service of Ukraine, Yevhenii Khmara, will temporarily serve as acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine,” the document says.

Yevhenii Khmara has headed the Special Operations Center “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine since August 2025.

In April 2023, Zelensky appointed Khmara as head of the Special Operations Center for Combating Terrorism, Protecting Participants in Criminal Proceedings, and Law Enforcement Officers of the SSU.

At the same time, Zelensky made changes to the organization of the SSU's activities, which are recorded in Presidential Decree No. 18/2026, published on the President's website.

“During the period of martial law, in the event of the temporary absence of the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine may be appointed by the President of Ukraine,” the document says.

The decree also states that the head of the SSU has a first deputy and four deputies. In the event of the temporary absence of the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, his powers shall be exercised by the first deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine, and in the absence of the first deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine, by the deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine appointed by the head of the Security Service of Ukraine.

As reported, Vasyl Maliuk announced today that he is stepping down as head of the Security Service of Ukraine.

After that, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Yevhenii Khmara to discuss opportunities for the systematic development of the SSU and scaling up the experience of Ukrainian special forces.

Photo: t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official