President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has launched what he called a “significant reset” of Ukraine’s leadership, appointing military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as head of the Presidential Office and announcing a wave of changes across the security and defense sectors. He outlined the overhaul in his evening address on January 2, 2026, saying the aim is to make Ukraine more resilient and to stop problems carrying over into the new year.

Budanov moves to Bankova

Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs a stronger focus on security, on building up its defense forces and on the diplomatic track of negotiations, and that the Presidential Office should primarily serve those goals. “Kyrylo’s experience and strength are enough to steer the Office’s work toward security matters and the negotiation process,” he said. The post had been vacant since Andriy Yermak resigned in late November 2025.

Budanov, who led Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), accepted the role, calling it “an honor and a responsibility” at a historic time. Zelenskyy asked him to work with the National Security and Defense Council to prepare an updated strategy for Ukraine’s defense and development.

A new team for defense and intelligence

  • Defense Intelligence: Oleh Ivashchenko, former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, will lead HUR.
  • Ministry of Defense: Zelenskyy proposed Mykhailo Fedorov, the minister behind Ukraine’s digital transformation and the Drone Line project, as defense minister, saying he would change how the ministry works.
  • Denys Shmyhal: the outgoing defense minister stays on the team and will lead another area of government work.
  • State Border Guard Service: a new head will be appointed after nominations from Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
  • Foreign Intelligence Service: a decision on its new leadership will follow soon.

Deputy head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa, a former combat commander, will consult with frontline brigades on decisions to strengthen Ukraine’s position.

More changes to come

Zelenskyy also ordered a draft law to overhaul the State Bureau of Investigation for submission to the Verkhovna Rada in January and promised changes to military training based on frontline lessons. He said the Defense Ministry had met its target for interceptor drone production by December, with output exceeding 1,000 a day.

Sources

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