Change of leadership of the SBU: The kid goes to “combat”

5 January 14:28

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a change in the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine. Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk will focus on the direct combat work of the units. Zelensky announced this on his Telegram channel, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports

Malyuk confirms resignation from the SBU head post

Vasyl Malyuk has officially confirmed that he is resigning as head of the SBU, according to a post on the official Telegram channel of the Security Service of Ukraine. At the same time, he emphasized that he would continue to serve in the SBU system.

The lieutenant general said that he will continue to be responsible for asymmetric special operations, which, according to him, will be “world-class” and will cause maximum damage to the enemy.

“I am confident that a strong and modern special service is the key to the security of our country. This is what the changes implemented by the President of Ukraine in the defense sector are aimed at, and I thank him,” Malyuk said.

He also thanked the SBU staff, his comrades-in-arms and the entire Ukrainian people.

Zelenskyy: strong asymmetric operations are needed

Commenting on the personnel decisions, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had personally met with Vasyl Malyuk and suggested that he focus on combat work.

“There should be more Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier and the Russian state, more of our strong results in destroying the enemy. Vasyl Vasylovych knows how to do this best, and this is what he will continue to do in the SBU system,” the president emphasized.

According to Zelenskyy, he instructed Malyuk to make the direction of asymmetric operations the strongest in the world, for which there are necessary resources and political support. During the meeting, the parties also discussed candidates for the new head of the SBU.

Who can lead the SBU?

After Vasyl Malyuk’s dismissal, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the head of the Special Operations Center “A”, Yevhen Khmara. It can be assumed that he will become the acting head of the SBU.

The Head of State thanked Yevhen Khmara and all Ukrainian special forces for “extremely significant combat work throughout the years of full-scale war.”

Zelenskyy emphasized that the combat experience of the SBU Special Forces and the SBU Central Security Center “A” is planned to be scaled up.

“I am grateful to Yevhen and all our Special Forces soldiers for their extremely important combat work throughout the years of full-scale war. We will scale up the experience of the Ukrainian Special Forces and the SBU’s Central Special Operations Center “A”,” Zelenskyy said.

The President added that during the meeting, they discussed the systemic development of the SBU and special operations that are currently being prepared.