“Kyrylo has unique experience in these areas and the necessary resources to achieve progress. I have also instructed him, together with the Secretary of the National Security Council and other key figures, to update and present the strategic foundations for the defense and development of our country for approval,” Zelensky noted.
It is worth mentioning that Budanov's predecessor, Andriy Yermak, was dismissed amid a corruption scandal.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is conducting an investigation into corruption schemes involving high-ranking officials. These schemes involve the state concern "Energoatom" and, according to the investigation, were organized by businessman Timur Mindich, who is accused of extorting "kickbacks" for contracts and using close ties with the president.
On November 28, Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Yermak's dismissal.
Oleg Ivashchenko has replaced him as the head of the GUR and now leads Ukraine's foreign intelligence service.
