Zelensky shakes up State Security Service leadership

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky removed several
high-ranking officials in the State Security Service (SBU) on July 26, his
website president.gov.ua reported. Zelensky removed first deputy heads in the
SBU’s anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling arms. In addition, the head of the
information security counterintelligence department and the head of the SBU in
Chernivtsi Oblast were relieved of their positions.

In the announcement, Zelensky noted the importance of
both reforming the SBU and fighting smuggling. He stated that these changes are
part of the preparations for the upcoming reform, which will be launched
immediately after the Verkhovna Rada passes the relevant bill.

James Hydzik: One area where Ukraine’s partners and the Ukrainian government’s
interests dovetail is in regard to smuggling, so these changes should be
welcomed without damaging Zelensky’s overall political rating. SBU reform in
general is welcome, but the risk of the president further consolidating his
power base is also real.