“There are attempts to remove Malyuk, but nothing has been decided yet,” a Ukrainian official said to POLITICO. “Talks are still ongoing, but if Malyuk leaves the SBU, it would significantly weaken Ukraine’s defense capabilities,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
“Malyuk is effectively positioned, and the security service’s achievements prove it. He made the SBU an efficient service conducting unique operations, providing Ukraine with strong leverage in negotiations,” the official added.
Zelenskyy addressed the topic of Malyuk with journalists, saying, “I respect everyone, but I will rotate the defense sector as planned.”
Malyuk did not return a request for comment. Both the SBU press service and the president’s office declined to comment.
Since 2023, Malyuk, 42, has led the SBU, overseeing high-profile assassinations and audacious operations inside Russia, like the 2025 “Spiderweb” operation where Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s strategic bombers, causing $7 billion in military aviation damage.
Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a Ukrainian MP from the opposition, stated that Zelenskyy did not intend to dismiss Malyuk but to offer him a different role. The Ukrainian leader proposed Malyuk a position at the Foreign Intelligence Service or the National Security Council of Ukraine. POLITICO corroborated this information with other Ukrainian officials.
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