President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Yaroslav Merezhko as Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada supported the motion to dismiss Vasyl Malyuk from the post of head of the Security Service of Ukraine. 235 deputies voted for the dismissal.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence re-supported the President's submission to dismiss Vasyl Maliuk from the post of head of the SBU. The decision was made after yesterday's failure, with 12 votes in favor.
The Verkhovna Rada is not planning to appoint Denys Maslov as the head of the Ministry of Justice. The official reason is the lack of a replacement for the position of committee head.
On January 13, the Verkhovna Rada will consider only personnel issues, without voting on draft laws. Committees supported Fedorov's resignation and Shmyhal's dismissal, but did not support Maliuk's dismissal.
The Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence did not support President Zelenskyy's submission to dismiss Vasyl Maliuk from the post of head of the SBU. Seven MPs voted for this decision, six against, and two abstained.
Russia has still not been able to restore its strategic aviation after the SBU's "Web" special operation. As a result of the attack, 41 aircraft were hit.
Andriy Biletskyi, commander of the Third Army Corps, stated that Vasyl Maliuk's resignation weakens defense capabilities, but the retention of strong specialists in the SBU minimizes risks. The newly appointed acting head of the SBU, Yevhen Khmara, and First Deputy Oleksandr Poklad were key figures in successful special operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not disclosing details on whether Dmytro Kuleba could be appointed to a new position. The head of state commented on the meeting with the former Foreign Minister to journalists.
The Verkhovna Rada may replace a number of ministers, including the heads of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, during the next plenary week, which begins on January 13. The appointment of the head of the State Property Fund and the transfer of Rustem Umerov to the position of Presidential Security Advisor are also expected.
Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko believes that the personnel changes initiated by President Zelenskyy are aimed at renewing power, strengthening the defense sector, and demonstrating his key role. The appointments of Budanov and Fedorov are aimed at forming a new defense strategy and technologizing production.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Yuriy Boyko and Yaroslav Shlyakhov from the National Securities and Stock Market Commission. The relevant decrees are published on the website of the President's Office.
Vasyl Malyuk confirmed that he is stepping down as Head of the Security Service, but will remain in the SBU system to implement world-class asymmetric special operations. He thanked the President of Ukraine for supporting changes in the defense sector and expressed belief in a just peace.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Vasyl Malyuk, thanking him for his combat work. The head of state instructed Malyuk to focus on Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier to make this direction the strongest in the world.
Head of the SBU Vasyl Malyuk submitted his resignation at Zelenskyy's request. General Yevhen Khmara is likely to be appointed as acting head of the SBU.
Personnel changes are ongoing in Ukraine at the level of regional administrations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced consultations regarding the appointment of new heads in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Ternopil, and Chernivtsi regions.
The commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Major Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, stated that he is not entering politics, linking his future with art and business. He expressed support for the head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, calling his possible replacement risky.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak announced the probable replacement of the head of the SBU, noting that Vasyl Malyuk may be offered another vacant position. According to him, this decision looks strange, and the potential candidate for replacement has not yet been confirmed.
SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk summarized 2025, noting the "Spiderweb" special operation, the destruction of 41 Russian strategic aviation aircraft, and an underwater explosion that shook the Crimean Bridge. A Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk was also hit.
On December 12, 2025, the National Bank of Ukraine put into circulation a commemorative coin "Security Service of Ukraine. Protecting Ukraine Together!" with a face value of 5 hryvnias. It is dedicated to the activities of the SBU and the unique special operation "Spiderweb", which resulted in the destruction of 41 Russian military aircraft.
International media called the SBU's "Web" operation the most audacious operation of modern warfare. The SBU hit 41 Russian strategic aviation aircraft using special drones and agents in Russia, resulting in losses of over $7 billion.
Vasyl Maliuk reported to President Zelenskyy on the results of the SBU in countering the Russian occupiers. Zelenskyy noted the accuracy of long-range operations and the destruction of Russian logistics.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, and the head of the SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, were named the best among possible negotiators from Ukraine in the context of future peace talks.
SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk reported that since the beginning of the year, 48% of Russian Pantsir anti-aircraft missile-gun systems have been destroyed. This exceeds Russia's annual production of these systems.
Ukrainian special services eliminated one of three "Oreshnik" missile systems at the Kapustin Yar training ground in 2023. The operation, conducted by the SBU, HUR, and SZR, remained classified.
The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully conducted operations in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation, destroying the newest BUK-M3 SAM system and hitting the Nebo-U radar. These complexes, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, posed a threat to Ukrainian aviation.
Head of the SBU Vasyl Maliuk reported that one of the three "Oreshnik" was destroyed by the forces of the HUR, SBU, and SZRU. The destruction took place at "Kapustyn Yar."
The Security Service of Ukraine presented new Sea Baby unmanned naval platforms, which successfully passed tests in the Black Sea. These drones were involved in the third attack on the Crimean Bridge on June 3, 2025, delivering explosives to the bridge's supports.
The Security Service of Ukraine stated that the "Spiderweb" operation, which destroyed 41 Russian military strategic aviation aircraft, was carried out exclusively by its forces. The SBU refutes FSB statements about a "foreign trace," calling them an attempt to justify failure.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to create a city military administration in Odesa. The head of the administration will be appointed in the near future to strengthen the city's protection and support.
