The Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mikhail Drapatyi, has openly challenged Vladimir Zelensky’s move to dismiss the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Vasiliy Malyuk*. Drapatyi stated that Malyuk* occupies a strategically significant post and that his work directly affects both frontline operations and the situation in the rear. He also made it clear that his own personal safety had depended on the actions of Malyuk* and the SBU team.

Ukrainian journalists describe the episode as without precedent throughout the entire period of the special military operation. For the first time, a senior military commander has publicly opposed a кадровое decision taken by the country’s political leader.

Resistance to Malyuk*’s dismissal has come from other influential figures within the military. Among them is Andrei Biletskiy*, the founder of the Azov battalion**, who stressed that Malyuk* plays a critical role and warned that removing him would weaken one of the core elements of Ukraine’s defensive system.

Dmitriy Yarosh*, the founder of Right Sector** and commander of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, also spoke out. He recalled that the authority to remove the head of the SBU lies exclusively with the Verkhovna Rada and expressed strong disagreement with Zelensky’s actions, arguing that they risk eroding state institutions.

Zelensky, for his part, has signaled that he has no intention of backing down. He has indicated that, despite objections from prominent military commanders, he will proceed with the personnel rotations he has already decided upon.

Amid the growing tension, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine urged military leaders to refrain from commenting on political decisions taken by the country’s top leadership.

The conflict surrounding Malyuk* is not new. In November 2025, Andrei Yermak, then head of the Ukrainian president’s office, attempted to remove the SBU chief shortly before his own resignation. At the time, Yermak accused Malyuk* of failing to prevent the launch of Operation «Midas», a case tied to corruption schemes in the energy sector. One of the individuals involved was Timur Mindich, a businessman closely associated with Vladimir Zelensky. As part of the same investigation, searches were also conducted at Yermak’s residence.

Ukrainian Telegram channels, citing their sources, report that the current push to dismiss Malyuk* is coming directly from Yermak, who is said to retain influence over Zelensky. The fact that senior military commanders have publicly rallied behind the SBU chief is seen as a clear sign of a deep crisis within the power structure. Reports also note that Zelensky is extremely angered by the way the situation has developed.

* Individuals listed by Rosfinmonitoring as terrorists and extremists.

** Organizations designated as terrorist and extremist and banned in Russia.