In a significant shake-up of Ukraine's security leadership, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has compelled the country's top spy chief to resign from his post. Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and a figure celebrated for orchestrating audacious cross-border raids, has been removed from his position but will remain within the agency.
A Reluctant Departure and a New Mission
Malyuk, who was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine in 2024, reportedly resisted the initial request to stand down. Following a meeting with President Zelenskyy on Monday, however, he acquiesced. Announcing his resignation on the SBU's official Telegram channel, Malyuk stated he would stay within the service to command "world-class asymmetric special operations" targeting Russia.
"I am leaving my post as head of the Security Service," Malyuk wrote. "I will stay in the system to carry out operations that continue to inflict maximum damage on the enemy." President Zelenskyy confirmed the reassignment, emphasising Malyuk's unique skills for this new role. "I proposed that he focus on this line of work specifically," Zelenskyy said. "There must be more Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier... This is where Vasyl is at his strongest."
The Legacy of Daring Operations
Vasyl Malyuk's tenure was marked by several high-profile operations that struck deep into Russian territory. He was widely credited with masterminding Operation Spiderweb in June 2024, a devastating drone swarm attack on Russian strategic bomber airfields. That raid alone was estimated to have caused around $7bn in damage.
Under his leadership, the SBU also claimed responsibility for a series of assassinations targeting senior members of Russia's military command. His aggressive tactics made him a popular figure within certain military circles, leading to calls for his retention when news of his potential dismissal first emerged. The commander of Ukraine's drone operations was among those who publicly argued that removing Malyuk would weaken the country's security apparatus.
Political Intrigue and Speculation Behind the Move
The reasons for President Zelenskyy's decision to remove such an effective operative remain unclear and have sparked considerable speculation. The president has stated a need for "fresh faces" after four years of gruelling war. However, other theories have surfaced from within Ukrainian political circles.
The newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources close to Malyuk, reported the dismissal may have been an act of revenge orchestrated by Andrii Yermak, the president's former chief of staff. Yermak's apartment was searched in an anti-corruption operation in November 2024, after which he resigned, though he faced no formal charges.
Another prevailing theory suggests Zelenskyy is clearing the deck of popular potential rivals ahead of a future presidential election. This mirrors the 2024 dismissal of General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former army chief once touted as a possible successor, who was later appointed ambassador to the UK.
Major General Yevhen Khmara, the former head of the SBU's elite Alpha unit, has been appointed as the acting head of the service. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Vasyl Malyuk's next move as he transitions to leading Ukraine's shadowy asymmetric war against the Russian invasion.
