Photo: president.gov.ua
But he will remain within the system and continue working on world-class asymmetric operations.
As expected, Vasyl Maliuk is stepping down as head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on Monday following a personal meeting with him. The president said he thanked Maliuk for his combat work and advised him to focus precisely on that area going forward.
“We also discussed candidates to choose a new head of the SBU,” Zelenskyy said. He did not specify which position the former SBU chief would take, but made it clear that Maliuk would remain part of the team.
“There must be more Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier and the Russian state, more strong results in destroying the enemy. Vasyl Vasylovych does this best, and this is exactly what he will continue to do within the SBU system,” Zelenskyy said. “I have tasked Vasyl Maliuk with making our asymmetric operations the strongest in the world. The resources and the necessary political support are in place.”
Later, Maliuk confirmed on his Telegram channel that he had submitted his resignation, which still requires approval by the Verkhovna Rada. He added that he would remain in the system and work on “world-class operations” aimed at inflicting maximum damage on Russia.
“I am convinced that a strong and modern special service is the key to our country’s security. The changes being implemented by the President of Ukraine in the defense sector are aimed precisely at this, and I thank him for that,” Maliuk wrote.
