Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday the replacement of the head of the country’s national security service, Vasyl Maliuk, as part of a sweeping restructuring of Ukraine’s defense and security leadership.
In a statement posted on social media, Zelensky said he had thanked Maliuk for his service and shared images of the two men meeting, underscoring a respectful transition. Maliuk, 42, has led Ukraine’s Security Service since 2022 and gained broad domestic popularity for overseeing high-profile operations against Russia amid the ongoing war.
Maliuk is widely associated with a series of complex cross-border operations, including a 2025 drone campaign, reportedly codenamed “Spider Web”, that targeted multiple Russian air bases simultaneously.
The coordinated strikes, carried out using drones covertly transported into Russian territory, damaged aircraft used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky said Maliuk will remain within the security apparatus and continue focusing on operations against Russia, without providing further operational details. At the same time, the president signed a decree appointing Yevhenii Khmara, head of the elite Alpha commando unit, as acting chief of the Security Service.
The leadership change follows days of speculation about Maliuk’s future and prompted public statements of support from senior Ukrainian military figures over the weekend, praising his effectiveness and leadership.
The move comes amid a broader overhaul of Ukraine’s defense institutions, even as international diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the war. Last week, Zelensky appointed popular military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as head of the presidential office and signaled that further changes, including at the defense ministry, are imminent.
Zelensky said the reshuffle aims to reinvigorate Ukraine’s security agencies, particularly if Moscow refuses to halt hostilities, reinforcing Kyiv’s readiness amid continued conflict.
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