Russia Zelensky appoints new head of military intelligence
Ukrainian foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko is to take over as head of the HUR military intelligence service in Kiev. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi after he appointed the previous head of the HUR, Kyrylo Budanov, as head of his office. The 56-year-old Lieutenant General Ivashchenko had been in charge of foreign intelligence since 2024. In his new role, he will continue to work on weakening Russia's economy and limiting Moscow's military potential, Zelenskyi announced on social media.
02.01.2026, 17:18
SDA
"We are continuing to focus on weakening Russia's economic potential: The less the aggressor earns, the more opportunities there are for diplomacy. This applies in particular to Russian oil exports, which are becoming more restricted and cheaper," said Selenskyj. He also commented on the numerous drone strikes against the neighboring country's energy infrastructure.
"We are taking a similar approach with regard to Russian arms production: the more we cut the aggressor's links to the world and its strategies for circumventing sanctions, the greater the potential for efforts to end the war," Selensky continued. He was grateful to the foreign intelligence service for its work. It was unclear who would be in charge of Ukraine's foreign intelligence in the future.
Ukraine has been resisting the Russian war of aggression for almost four years with Western help, including from friendly intelligence services. Despite negotiations, an end to the war is not yet in sight.
