Kyiv, 03 January (H.S.): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed celebrated military intelligence director Kyrylo Budanov, 39, as his chief of staff on Friday, elevating the CIA-trained operative to one of Kyiv's most potent roles amid demands for a security-centric pivot as US-brokered peace talks near fruition and corruption scandals erode public faith.

Posting a Kyiv photo of their meeting on Telegram and X, Zelenskyy stressed: At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the defence and security forces, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations, tasking Budanov—who helmed HUR (Main Directorate of Intelligence) since 2020—with strategic defence blueprints and results-driven execution.

Budanov affirmed the honour, pledging emphasis on strategic security during Ukraine's historic period. Budanov supplants Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's omnipotent grey cardinal since 2020—who orchestrated foreign policy, US negotiations, and appointments but resigned November 28 after NABU/SAP raids on his Kyiv apartment amid a $100 million energy embezzlement probe implicating Energoatom kickbacks, though uncharged. Yermak's exit—amid deputies' graft exits—stunned allies, amplifying Kremlin narratives as Zelenskyy reshuffles to reclaim trust amid battlefield grinds and donor scrutiny for EU accession.

HUR successor: 56-year-old foreign intelligence head Oleh Ivashchenko. Concurrently, Zelenskyy nominated Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, 34—architect of Diia app (20M+ users for e-services, drone ops)—as defence minister, restructuring the ministry to prioritise drone training and innovation; incumbent Rustem Umerov shifts roles. The war-footing overhaul—formalising Budanov's ascent via Rada procedures—signals Kyiv's bid to fortify defences as Zelenskyy touted a 90% ready US plan Wednesday, with HUR's daring Russian strikes (Crimean Bridge, oligarch hits) burnishing Budanov's cult status.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar