President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has updated the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine, appointing new deputy heads of the agency. As reported in the decrees published on the website of the Office of the President, Oleksandr Poklad became the first deputy head of the SBU, and Andriy Tupikov and Denys Kylymnyk took up the positions of deputy heads of the service. In addition, Denys Kylymnyk headed the Anti-Terrorism Center at the SBU, and Kyrylo Budanov was introduced into the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Oleksandr Poklad was previously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine – On September 30, 2025, the president honored him “for personal courage and heroism shown in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people.” He also participated in negotiations with Russia as part of the Ukrainian delegation.
The personnel appointments took place against the backdrop of changes in the leadership of the SBU. On January 5, Vasyl Malyuk agreed to resign, after which the duties of the head of the Security Service of Ukraine were entrusted to Yevheniy Khmara. Prior to that, he headed the Special Operations Center “A” of the SBU and was involved in a number of key operations, in particular, “Website,” as a result of which, according to sources, Russia lost a significant part of its strategic aviation. Yevhenii Khmara also led the operation to liberate Zmiiniy Island in 2023.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the experience of Ukrainian special forces and the Central Operational Command “A” of the SBU in Ukraine will be scaled up, and also reported on discussions with Yevhenii Khmara on the further systemic development of the SBU and special operations that are currently being prepared.
