{"id":2528554,"date":"2026-01-02T12:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T17:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelensky-selects-kyrylo-budanov-to-replace-disgraced-chief-of-staff\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T12:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T17:39:15","slug":"zelensky-selects-kyrylo-budanov-to-replace-disgraced-chief-of-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelensky-selects-kyrylo-budanov-to-replace-disgraced-chief-of-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelensky selects Kyrylo Budanov to replace disgraced chief of staff"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fzelensky-selects-kyrylo-budanov-to-replace-disgraced-chief-of-staff%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2528554&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has tapped Kyrylo Budanov, the 39-year-old head of Ukraine&#8217;s military intelligence (Main Directorate of Intelligence), to become head of the Office of the President. Zelensky said the office will concentrate on security, strengthening the defense and security forces, and diplomatic negotiations, and praised Budanov&#8217;s specialized experience and ability to deliver results. Budanov has led military intelligence as 2020 and is considered a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-republican-julia-letlow-is-sworn-in-the-democrats-margin-in-the-house-shrinks-to-just-2-votes\/\" title=\"As Republican Julia Letlow Is Sworn In, The Democrats\u2019 Margin In The House Shrinks To Just 2 Votes\">prominent political figure<\/a> and possible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cnns-stelter-we-will-discuss-zuckers-resignation-janice-dean-try-discussing-zucker-covering-up-nursing-home-deaths-andrew-cuomos-role\/\" title=\"CNN\u2019s Stelter: We Will Discuss Zucker\u2019s Resignation. Janice Dean: Try Discussing Zucker Covering Up Nursing Home Deaths, Andrew Cuomo\u2019s Role.\">future presidential contender<\/a>; a December poll projected him beating Zelensky head-to-head, 56% to 44%. He replaces Andriy Yermak, who stepped down after being named a suspect in an alleged kickback scheme tied to the Energoatom nuclear plant (&#8220;Operation Midas&#8221;); Yermak denies the allegations and has said he is heading to the front lines.Procedures to formalize Budanov&#8217;s appointment are reportedly underway.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Zelensky selects Ukraine <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >spy chief<\/a> Kyrylo Budanov to replace disgraced chief of staff<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2457675\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4363195\/trump-zelensky-meeting-russia-ukraine-peace\/\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky<\/a> is replacing his disgraced chief of staff with his nation&rsquo;s spy chief.<\/p>\n<p>Kyrylo Budanov, the 39-year-old head of Ukraine&rsquo;s Main Directorate of Intelligence, accepted his new role on Friday as the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4396039\/iran-threaten-us-troops-trump-promises-intervention-protests\/\">Iranian officials threaten US troops after Trump promises intervention on behalf of protesters<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4394181\/maduro-discuss-agreement-combat-drug-trafficking\/\">Maduro says Venezuela is ready to discuss an agreement to &#8216;combat drug trafficking&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4355880\/europe-struggles-keep-pace-defensive-self-reliance\/\">Europe struggles to keep pace as US cracks the whip on defensive self-reliance<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations, and the Office of the President will primarily serve the fulfillment of these tasks of our state,&rdquo; Zelensky <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZelenskyyUa\/status\/2007053400261681610\">said in an announcement<\/a> of Budnaov&rsquo;s selection on Friday.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine&rsquo;s military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov attends the ceremony on the occasion of the National Flag Day in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He added, &ldquo;Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to deliver results.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Budanov has led Ukrainian military intelligence since 2020 and is considered a leading figure in the future of the country&rsquo;s politics.<\/p>\n<p>Zelensky adviser Dmytro Lytvyn <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/kyivindependent.com\/breaking-ukraines-military-intelligence-head-kyrylo-budanov-appointed-as-zelenskys-new-chief-of-staff\/\">told reporters <\/a>that procedures are underway to install Budanov as the president&rsquo;s chief of staff.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For me, it is an honor and a responsibility to focus on critically important issues of the strategic security of our state at a historic time for Ukraine,&rdquo; Budanov said.<\/p>\n<p>He is replacing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3901417\/zelensky-ally-investigation-ukrainian-corruption-scandal\/\">Andriy Yermak<\/a>, Zelensky&rsquo;s former chief of staff, who fell from grace late last year after an investigation by the Ukrainian national anti-corruption bureau named him as a suspect in &ldquo;Operation Midas&rdquo; &mdash; an alleged kickback scheme funneling money from the Energoatom nuclear power plant.<\/p>\n<p>Following the allegations and a raid on his home by authorities, Yermak denied all allegations and announced he was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3901738\/yermak-says-going-to-the-front-after-shock-resignation\/\">heading to the front lines<\/a> of the war effort.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to the front and am prepared for any reprisals,&rdquo; Yermak <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/11\/28\/world-news\/andriy-yermak-is-prepared-for-any-reprisals-after-resignation-from-ukraines-govt\/\">told the <em>New York Post<\/em> <\/a>in a late November text message. &ldquo;I am an honest and decent person.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, speaks during a news conference at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been desecrated, and my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-ukrainian-co-president-yermak-says-hes-going-to-the-front\/\" title=\"Former Ukrainian &#039;co-...&#039; Yermak says he&#039;s &#039;going to the ...&#039;\">dignity hasn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t been protected, despite having been in Kyiv since February 24, 202[2],&rdquo; he said in the message. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m disgusted by the filth directed at me, and even more disgusted by the lack of support from those who know the truth.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4364559\/russia-dismisses-calls-evidence-ukraine-attack-putin-residence\/\">RUSSIA DISMISSES CALLS FOR EVIDENCE AS DOUBT MOUNTS AGAINST ALLEGED UKRAINE ATTACK ON PUTIN RESIDENCE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Budanov is widely considered one of the most eligible candidates to lead <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4364559\/russia-dismisses-calls-evidence-ukraine-attack-putin-residence\/\">Ukraine<\/a> as its next president. <\/p>\n<p>While Zelensky has stated he does not intend to run again, a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/socis.kiev.ua\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode\/pdfjs\/web\/viewer.php?file=https%3A%2F%2Fsocis.kiev.ua%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2FPresent_UA_Barometr_F2F_n2000_December_2025.pdf&amp;attachment_id=0&amp;dButton=true&amp;pButton=true&amp;oButton=false&amp;sButton=true&amp;editButtons=true&amp;pagemode=none&amp;_wpnonce=06aaed9679&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawO4v81leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnejBSUjFhenBYTEgwdnE2c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrp3NZVQ013sn7ksI_mxE2WUQ0CdVZ2wKUHZEz2SKRqhF6frvQDljrKNGPLx_aem_7LSVMp8MPC2WMX2rsFv7jQ\">December poll from Socis<\/a> found Budanov would be projected to win head-to-head with 56% to Zelensky&rsquo;s 44%.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zelensky taps spy chief Budanov as new chief of staff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2528555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25235289813177.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[69962,43229,69963,6991,34375],"class_list":["post-2528554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-kyrylo-budanov","tag-leadership-change","tag-military-intelligence","tag-ukraine","tag-volodymyr-zelensky"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25235289813177.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2528554"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2528558,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2528554\/revisions\/2528558"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2528555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2528554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2528554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2528554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}