Head of Security Service of Ukraine steps down, Zelenskyy discusses successor candidates
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed with Vasyl Maliuk potential candidates to succeed him as head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU).
Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media; SSU on social media
Quote from Zelenskyy: "I had a meeting with Vasyl Maliuk. I thanked him for his combat service and proposed that he focus on this line of work specifically. There must be more Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier and the Russian state and more solid results in eliminating the enemy. This is where Vasyl is at his strongest, and this is exactly what he will continue to do within the Security Service of Ukraine."
Details: The president said that he has instructed Maliuk to make Ukraine's asymmetric operations the strongest in the world.
Zelenskyy and Maliuk discussed candidates together in order to select a new head of the SSU.
The SSU also shared a comment from Maliuk.
Quote from Maliuk: "I am leaving the post of head of the Security Service. I am remaining within the SSU system to carry out world-class asymmetric special operations which will continue to inflict maximum damage on the enemy."
Update: Zelenskyy has also had a meeting with Yevhen Khmara, Head of the Alpha Special Operations Centre of the SSU. According to Ukrainska Pravda sources, Khmara will become acting head of the SSU after Maliuk's resignation. Zelenskyy discussed with him opportunities for the SSU's systemic development and the special operations being prepared.
Background:
- Maliuk has officially served as head of the SSU since February 2023.
- Under his leadership, the agency has carried out a number of successful special operations, such as Pavutyna (Spider's Web), which damaged dozens of Russian aircraft at four Russian airfields. The SSU has also carried out three attacks on the Crimean Bridge: using a lorry packed with explosives (2022), Sea Baby maritime drones (2023) and an underwater blast (2025).
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