Overtaking Zelensky in the rankings and disliked by Yermak: Head of military intelligence Budanov is set to be replaced by Security Service of Ukraine Deputy head Poklad – Media reported

The Office of the President of Ukraine is considering removing Kyrylo Budanov from his position as head of military intelligence and appointing the current deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Oleksandr Poklad, in his place.

This was reported by NV publication, citing a source in the security and defense sector.

According to the source, efforts to dismiss Budanov may intensify in December. The process is being most actively lobbied by the head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, and the deputy head of the SBU, Oleksandr Poklad. The latter is the one expected to be appointed as head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), the source added.

The publication notes that Budanov is being replaced with a “more loyal figure” to the current authorities.

A source in the Office of the President stated that some public actions and statements made by the head of HUR have harmed Ukraine. In particular, this refers to special operations in Africa, statements about “coffee in Crimea,” or defense procurement from other countries.

“There is an objective reality and objectively wrong decisions. Should there be accountability for this? The president will decide,” the source said.

At the same time, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) denied the possible appointment of Poklad as head of HUR and called the rumors about it “a disinformation campaign by Russian intelligence services.”

The SBU stated that “information leaks regarding the deputy head of the SBU appear systematically once a month and share similar characteristics. The themes of these information operations are quite broad: from various conspiracy theories and ‘sensations’ about the situation at the front to alleged personnel changes and conflicts among the leadership of the Security and Defense Forces, etc. These disinformation leaks by Russian intelligence are completely baseless and are used by the enemy solely for achieving their own goals. Rumors about blocking certain HUR divisions or other components of the Defense Forces are part of a hostile strategy. Specifically, to create artificial tension between the military leadership of our country.”

It is worth recalling that in September, media outlets reported that Budanov could be dismissed due to his conflict with Yermak.

According to journalists, if dismissed, Budanov was offered the position of ambassador to Turkey, but he declined.

Media also reported that, according to closed social surveys, Budanov surpassed President Zelensky in public trust rankings and is currently in second place, after the former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Zelensky ranks third.