Zelensky replaces Ukraine’s powerful security service leadership

President Volodymyr Zelensky has reshuffled the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), replacing the influential Vasily Maliuk and nominating Major General Yevheny Hemara as acting director.

The SBU, which is primarily responsible for internal security and counterintelligence, has also played an important role in assassinations and sabotage attacks inside Russia since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Maliuk, who has been in charge of the SBU since 2022, is credited with overseeing successful operations against Russia and clearing the SBU of suspected Russian double agents.

The latest reshuffle is the latest in a series of tirade by Zelensky since the war began.

Maliuk’s name is a household name in Ukraine. After all, last June he coordinated the bold move ‘Spider web’ attack, more than 100 Ukrainian drones hit air force base deep in Russian territory. His successor Hemara was also involved in preparations for the operation.

It’s no surprise, then, that Maliuk’s dismissal earlier this week was widely criticized within Ukraine, including by several high-profile military commanders. Reports that Maliuk initially refused to step down voluntarily further reinforced the impression that President Zelensky’s decision was short-sighted.

Although he has been relieved of his duties as head of the SBU, he has been asked to continue leading special operations against Russia. Zelensky said Ukraine needed more “asymmetric actions against Russian forces,” adding that Maliuk “is best at this.”

Hemala’s appointment goes some way to alleviating concerns over the future effectiveness of the SBU. But former SBU agent Ivan Stupak argued that his reputation, while solid, was limited to one area and it was unclear whether he would be able to translate his experience into running the broader SBU.

Stupak also believed that Maliuk’s dismissal was related to the appointment of former spy chief Kyrilo Budanov as Zelensky’s new chief of staff.

“Malyuk and Budanov had a dispute,” he told the BBC, suggesting that Budanov had a major influence on Zelensky’s decision and that Hemara would now be “in the hands” of Budanov.

Other analysts disagree. Oleksandr Notevskyi of the Center for Policy Development in Ukraine applauded Hemara’s appointment, noting his success in leading Alpha Division, one of the SBU’s top elite divisions: “He is young, experienced and one of the initiators of Operation Spider Web.”

In a statement, the SBU described Hemala as a highly decorated and “experienced special forces officer” who took part in the 2022 operation to liberate the Kiev region and fought against the Russians in the occupied Donetsk region.

Hemala’s appointment needs to be confirmed by the Ukrainian parliament, which may reject the appointment. Nottsky said there are other options.

After nearly four years of war, Ukraine is struggling to repel Russian forces the old-fashioned way — on the battlefield and along a long frontline in the country’s east. It has had more success targeting oil fields, weapons factories, as well as air bases and valuable aircraft (as was the case with Spider Web attacks).

Nottsky believes that at this particular juncture in the war with Moscow, “whoever leads the security services should be someone who specializes in eliminating Russia’s military capabilities on Russian soil.”

Last week, Zelensky announced major changes to his senior team. Mikhailo Fedorov was nominated as the new defense minister, while Budanov was replaced by Ole Ivanshenko, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Many of Zelensky’s reshuffles have been criticized by commentators as hurting the country at a time of crisis.

Using a football analogy, Stupak said Zelensky was like a head coach going to the bench looking for replacement players. “But his bench is short and he doesn’t have anyone he can use again and again,” he said.