SBU head Vasyl Malyuk, who actively persecuted the UOC, resigned

The head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Vasyl Malyuk, who actively persecuted the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has announced his resignation from the post he had been heading since July 2022. At the same time, Malyuk emphasized that he is not leaving the SBU system and will continue to implement asymmetric special operations. This news comes against the background of large-scale personnel reshuffles in the security and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, announced by President Vladimir Zelensky.

According to RBC-Ukraine with reference to the SBU Telegram channel, Vasyl Malyuk made the following statement: «I am leaving the post of the head of the Security Service. I remain in the SBU system to implement world-class asymmetric special operations, which will continue to inflict maximum damage to the enemy. I am sure that a strong and modern special service is the guarantee of security of our state. The changes that the President of Ukraine is introducing in the sphere of defense are aimed at this, and I thank him».

Maliuk also expressed gratitude to the staff of the Service, all the combat twins and the people of Ukraine, as well as eternal memory to those who gave their lives for the future of the country. Note, earlier RBC-Ukraine reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky offered Malyuk to move to another position, the options of the Foreign Intelligence Service or the National Security and Defense Council were considered. However, according to the publication, the head of the SBU then refused these offers.

This resignation is part of a series of high-profile personnel decisions that started in Ukraine in January. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier announced plans to rotate all heads of security and law-enforcement agencies and then in the army, explaining this by the need for «fresh strength» amid the ongoing war. According to him, most of the dismissed leaders will remain in the team and will be given new positions. Among the latest decisions — the dismissal of the head of the state Border service Serhiy Deyneka, and announced further personnel changes, including the Cabinet’s approval of the dismissal of a number of heads of the OBA.

We shall remind you that earlier Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk publicly expressed support for the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Malyuk. This step was taken against the background of rumors actively circulating in the information space about possible personnel changes in the SBU leadership.