The head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Vasyl Malyuk, has agreed to write a letter of resignation, sources at LB have confirmed. However, according to interlocutors, Malyuk is expected to remain within the Security Service to handle strategic operations.
His future position has not yet been determined. Meanwhile, the head of the Special Group Alpha, Yevhen Khmara, may assume leadership of the SBU.
Information that Vasyl Malyuk had ultimately agreed to submit a letter of resignation was first reported by Ukrayinska Pravda (UP), citing its own sources. According to the journalists’ interlocutors, Malyuk had initially opposed his transfer to either the Foreign Intelligence Service or the National Security and Defence Council as part of the “rotations” announced by the president.
“As far as UP knows, Malyuk justified his position by saying that he had several operations on the scale of Spider’s Web in their final stages, and that it would be a crime to abandon them now,” the journalists reported.
According to their information, Malyuk stated that if the president had a relevant request, the matter should be referred to the Verkhovna Rada for a decision.
“Zelenskyy was outraged by General Malyuk’s refusal to write a letter of resignation. Communications advisers separately encouraged the president, saying that the campaign to support the general ‘was organised by the SBU itself’. Therefore, Zelenskyy, already on edge, threatened to remove Malyuk from office if he did not submit a letter of resignation voluntarily,” the article said.
Context
This month, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the start of personnel rotations in the security and defence sector.
On 2 January, he appointed Kyrylo Budanov, the long-time head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), as head of the President’s Office. The DIU will now be led by Oleh Ivashchenko, who previously headed the Foreign Intelligence Service and served as Budanov’s deputy.
The president also intends to replace the defence minister: instead of Denys Shmyhal, who took up the post only last summer, Zelenskyy wants Deputy Prime Minister Mykhaylo Fedorov to head the Ministry of Defence.
Zelenskyy said that these personnel changes are necessary to strengthen the country in the event that the war continues.
Against the backdrop of reports about the possible dismissal of Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine received support from the military, including senior officials: Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi, Commander of the Joint Forces Mykhaylo Drapatyy, and Commander of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov, Denys Prokopenko.
However, commenting on the situation, the president said that while he respects everyone, he will carry out the rotations he deems necessary.
Who is Vasyl Malyuk?
He graduated from the National Academy of the Security Service of Ukraine with a degree in law. Since 2001, he has served in state security agencies. His career progressed from operative officer to deputy head of a department and head of the unit for combating corruption and organised crime.
In 2020, he served for several months as First Deputy Head of the SBU’s main department for combating corruption and organised crime. Subsequently, in 2020–2021, he headed the Main Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organised Crime of the SBU’s Central Directorate.
In February 2022, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, and in March became First Deputy Head of the SBU. From 18 July 2022, he temporarily performed the duties of head of the SBU following the dismissal of Ivan Bakanov.
In February 2023, he was appointed head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
Under his leadership, the Security Service conducted several unique special operations and reached a new level in striking enemy targets using drones, including maritime platforms. Crimea was attacked using Sea Baby drones developed specifically for the SBU. In 2025, SBU operatives carried out a multi-stage special operation known as Spider’s Web, which caused significant damage to the Russian strategic aviation.