CaliToday (02/1/2026): KYIV, Ukraine – In a decisive pivot that signals a hardening of Kyiv’s security posture during critical peace negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday appointed Major General Kyrylo Budanov, the enigmatic head of military intelligence, as his new Chief of Staff.
The high-stakes reshuffle comes as the United States leads an intensified diplomatic push to bring an end to Russia's nearly four-year-old invasion, and amidst a domestic corruption scandal that ousted the President's former right-hand man.
A Strategist for the 'Final Phase'
In announcing the appointment, Zelenskyy emphasized that the office of the president must now prioritize "security issues, defense development, and peace talks."
The choice of Budanov, 39, replaces Andrii Yermak, who was dismissed following the launch of an investigation by anti-corruption officials into alleged graft within Ukraine's energy sector.
By elevating Budanov a career operative who has led the GUR (Defense Intelligence of Ukraine) since 2020 Zelenskyy is placing a serving intelligence chief at the very heart of Ukraine’s political and diplomatic engine.
"Kyrylo has specialized experience in these areas and sufficient strength to achieve results," Zelenskyy stated.
Responding to the appointment on Telegram, Budanov called the role an honor during a "historic time," pledging to focus on "the critically important issues of the state’s strategic security."
The "Architect" of Deep Strikes
Budanov is widely viewed as one of the war’s most effective commanders. Under his leadership, the GUR evolved from a traditional intelligence body into a potent proactive force. He is credited with masterminding brazen operations behind enemy lines, including drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, sabotage of logistics hubs, and psychological warfare campaigns that have rattled the Kremlin.
His transition from the shadows of the intelligence world to the forefront of the President’s Office suggests Kyiv is preparing to negotiate from a position of uncompromising strength.
The Trump-Led Peace Push
The appointment coincides with rapid diplomatic developments involving the U.S. administration.
On Wednesday, Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, confirmed a "productive call" regarding the European peace process. The discussion included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, advisor Jared Kushner, and national security advisers from Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine.
However, the path to a ceasefire remains fragile. In his New Year’s address, President Zelenskyy revealed that a peace deal was “90% ready,” but warned that the final 10%—likely involving conceding occupied territory would determine "the fate of Ukraine and Europe."
Tensions spiked earlier this week when Moscow threatened to toughen its negotiating stance, citing an alleged long-range drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in northwestern Russia. Kyiv has vehemently denied the attack, dismissing the accusation as a Russian ruse to derail the talks.
Deadly New Year Violence
While diplomats talk, the violence on the ground has intensified.
In the South: Russian authorities claimed a Ukrainian strike on a hotel in the occupied village of Khorly (Kherson region) killed 27 people during a New Year's Eve celebration. Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesman for Ukraine’s General Staff, denied targeting civilians, stating Ukraine strikes "exclusively against Russian military targets" and accusing Moscow of using disinformation to disrupt negotiations.
In the East: Overnight into Friday, Russian missiles struck a residential area in Kharkiv, injuring at least 15 people. Simultaneously, the city of Zaporizhzhia faced "one of the most massive" drone attacks to date, with nine drones damaging civilian infrastructure.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched a total of 116 long-range drones overnight. Air defenses successfully intercepted 86 of them.
As Budanov steps into his new role, he faces the dual challenge of managing these grinding daily battles while navigating the complex, high-pressure endgame of peace negotiations.