Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov: A New Era for Ukraine’s Presidential Office
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov has taken on a pivotal role in Ukraine’s political landscape. As the head of the presidential office, he is the first military officer to hold this position under President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His appointment comes at a critical time, following a corruption scandal that led to the resignation of his predecessor, Andrii Yermak, at the end of November.
Budanov, who previously served as the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR), now fills one of the most influential roles in the country. This position is considered powerful, as it involves accompanying the president during key international meetings and negotiations related to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A Soldier at the Helm
This marks the first time a soldier has led the presidential office. Budanov’s background as a military officer has earned him significant public support. According to a poll conducted by the Socis Center in mid-December 2025, Budanov would rank third in a presidential election with 5.7% of the vote. Zelenskyy and former commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi would each secure just over 20% of the votes. The poll also suggested that both Zaluzhnyi and Budanov could potentially defeat Zelenskyy in a runoff, although neither has officially declared their candidacy.
Young Leadership
At 39, Budanov is the youngest chief of staff during Zelenskyy’s term. In 2020, he became the youngest head of the HUR. Born in Kyiv, he served in a special forces unit and participated in missions in Donbas from 2014 onwards. His involvement in operations in Russian-occupied territories, particularly Crimea, has been well-documented.
Budanov gained wider recognition after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His secret service, HUR, made headlines with drone attacks on military airfields and other targets deep within Russian territory. These operations included attacks on Russian ships, refineries, and oil terminals on the Black Sea. Following the sinking of two warships, Zelenskyy awarded Budanov the Hero of Ukraine medal in February 2024.
Media Presence and Public Image
Budanov has actively engaged with the media, which is unusual for an intelligence officer. In November 2025, he made headlines when he landed by helicopter in the Pokrovsk area of western Donetsk, which had been captured by the Russian army. Parts of Pokrovsk remain under Ukrainian control.
His self-promotion has also contributed to his public image. During the Ukrainian counteroffensive in June 2023, a video emerged showing Budanov remaining silent for half a minute in front of a running camera. The message “More to follow, plans love silence” appeared on the screen. In another video, he blew out candles on a cake while explosions echoed in the background. Images of a cake shaped like a map of Russia, which he received as a birthday gift, went viral.
Budanov has also been unusually accessible to the media. Among Ukraine’s senior leadership, only Zelenskyy gave more interviews than him.
Public Criticism and Challenges
Despite his popularity, Budanov has faced criticism. In the fall of 2022, he predicted that the Ukrainian army would be in Crimea by the summer of 2023, a claim that did not materialize. Since then, he has become more cautious with such predictions.
Other operations have also faced challenges. One notable mission involved the recruitment of Russian pilot Maksim Kuzminov, who defected to Ukraine in August 2023. Kuzminov was later killed in Spain, likely by Russian agents. Additionally, reports in late 2024 suggested possible dismissal of Budanov due to losses of highly qualified personnel.
Targeted by Russia
Budanov has also been targeted by Russia. In the fall of 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence reported that his wife and several officers were poisoned. As the president’s chief of staff, Budanov is expected to bring a stronger military focus to the office. However, he will also take on diplomatic responsibilities.
At the end of November, Budanov was in the United Arab Emirates during negotiations between US and Russian representatives. Details of these talks remain undisclosed. In a recent interview, Budanov expressed hope that a “window of opportunity” for negotiations would remain open until February 2026.
