Zelenskyy sacks the head of Ukraine's security service in a sweeping reshuffle

In a move reflecting a strategic shift in the management of security and military operations in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday the replacement of the head of the National Security Service (SBU), General Vasyl Maliuk, who gained widespread recognition as the architect of targeted operations against Russia. This decision comes as part of a broad restructuring campaign affecting key positions within the country's defense and security leadership as the war enters its fourth year.

New appointments and security backgrounds

Zelenskyy issued a decree appointing Yevhen Khmara, the former head of the "Alpha" division specializing in commando operations and special missions within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as acting head of the agency. Khmara's selection, given his combat background, indicates the Ukrainian leadership's desire to maintain the SBU's operational momentum, with a focus on field effectiveness in the coming period.

Despite being relieved of his senior administrative post, the Ukrainian president confirmed that General Malyuk would continue his duties within the agency, focusing exclusively on intelligence and offensive operations against Russia. Zelenskyy posted photos of himself shaking hands with Malyuk (42), commenting, "I thanked him for his work," clearly indicating that the change was organizational rather than punitive, especially after a widespread campaign of solidarity from military leaders who praised Malyuk's competence.

A proven track record and "spider web" operation

Maliuk leaves his post with a distinguished record of operations that inflicted pain on the Russian side, most notably the unprecedented operation carried out in 2025 known as "Operation Spider Web." This operation was characterized by its high level of tactical audacity, as agents of the agency successfully smuggled drones into Russian territory using civilian trucks, and then launched them in a coordinated aerial attack.

These attacks resulted in the destruction of a number of Russian warplanes at their air bases, planes that were being used to bomb Ukrainian cities, which constituted a major security breach for Russian defenses and boosted Malyuk's popularity on the Ukrainian street.

Context of restructuring and expected impact

This decision cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context in Kyiv; it coincides with the appointment of the head of military intelligence, Kirill Budanov, as director of the presidential office, as well as the announcement of the imminent replacement of the defense minister. Observers believe that Zelenskyy is pursuing two main objectives through these changes:

• First: Injecting new blood into sensitive institutions to ensure maximum readiness in case international diplomatic efforts to end the war fail, which Zelensky confirmed by saying that he wants to "reactivate" these agencies in anticipation of continued hostilities.
• Second: Reorganizing the internal structure to unify security and political decision-making, especially in light of the economic and military challenges imposed by the long war of attrition.

These changes carry a dual message, both internally and externally; namely that Ukraine, despite engaging in diplomatic paths, still retains its military options and is working to develop its security tools to confront any possible future scenarios.