Oleg Ivashchenko to Head the Main Intelligence Directorate in Place of Budanov: What Is Known About Him
2 January 19:03
On the evening of Friday, January 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a change in leadership at the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. Oleg Ivashchenko will become the new head of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
The head of state wrote about this on Telegram, emphasizing that the newly appointed head will continue to carry out tasks aimed at deterring and limiting Russia’s military capabilities, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
“Starting today, Oleg Ivashchenko will continue to serve our country and carry out tasks to limit Russia’s military potential in the field of Ukrainian military intelligence,” Zelenskyy stated.
Who is Oleg Ivashchenko
Oleg Ivanovich Ivashchenko is a lieutenant general, a career military officer, and an intelligence officer. He was born on September 9, 1969.
He has a multi-level military and management education: he graduated from the Kyiv Higher Combined Arms Command School, the National Defense Academy of Ukraine, the University of Economics and Law, and the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School.
Experience in Intelligence and the General Staff
Ivashchenko’s career is closely tied to military intelligence. From 2017 to 2019, he served as First Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and concurrently as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for Intelligence.
Since 2021, he has also served as acting assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, demonstrating his involvement in strategic planning at the highest level.
War and State Awards
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ivashchenko participated in combat operations. In March 2022, he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class. He also holds the Order of Danylo Halytskyi.
Previous Appointments and Political Influence
In March 2024, the president appointed Oleg Ivashchenko as head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
Ivashchenko is a member of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Headquarters and the National Security and Defense Council.
As a reminder, today, January 2, Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, the position of head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The President emphasized that Budanov has specialized experience in these areas and the necessary strength to achieve results.
Later, Budanov announced that he had accepted Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer to head the Office of the President. He noted that he views the position of head of the Office of the President as yet another milestone of responsibility toward the country.
