Head of SBU Resigns Amid Pressure from Zelenskyy

Vasyl Malyuk, head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), has submitted his resignation at President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request, according to an announcement by parliamentarian Oleksiy Honcharenko on Telegram.

The resignation caps a tense standoff between Malyuk and the president that saw prominent military commanders rally behind the intelligence chief.

Political Upheaval

The move follows a broader shake-up of Ukraine’s security leadership triggered by a corruption scandal involving Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office. Yermak’s dismissal set off a cascade of personnel changes, including the removal of Kyrylo Budanov from the Main Intelligence Directorate, who was reassigned to Yermak’s former position.

Zelensky’s decision to replace Malyuk sparked public resistance. High-profile military figures including Dmytro Yarosh of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, Andriy Biletsky of the 3rd Army Corps, and Denis Prokopenko of the 1st Azov Corps voiced support for the SBU chief.

Initial Resistance

According to Ukrainska Pravda, Malyuk initially refused to resign, citing several covert operations in their final stages. He reportedly argued that abandoning these missions would constitute a betrayal of Ukraine’s security interests.

Sources indicate Zelensky reacted angrily to the refusal, threatening forced removal—a power granted to the president by parliament at the war’s outset. By Sunday, pressure mounted on Malyuk not only to step down but to publicly express gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

Final Decision

Despite backing from military and political leaders, Malyuk ultimately yielded. According to Ukrainska Pravda, he concluded that escalating the confrontation with Zelensky would damage the state.

In a Monday statement, Malyuk confirmed his departure as SBU head but said he would remain with the agency to oversee covert operations abroad.