Vasyl Maliuk, the former head of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), has been removed from his position amid a widening corruption scandal that has rocked President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration.
Maliuk, appointed as SBU chief in February 2023, was widely regarded as a key architect of Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare against Russia during the ongoing conflict, including successful assassinations and sabotage missions.
Under his leadership, the SBU orchestrated high-profile operations, including Operation Spiderweb, a spectacular operation where Ukraine used drone strikes on Russian airbases deep inland and other covert actions that inflicted significant damage on Russian military infrastructure.
He was awarded Hero of Ukraine in 2025 for his services.
However, critics increasingly accused Maliuk of overseeing or shielding corrupt activities within the agency, including extortion schemes targeting businesses and officials.
On January 5, Ukrainian media reported that Maliuk had resigned at Zelensky’s direct demand, part of a broader government reshuffle aimed at restoring credibility amid the scandal.
Yevhen Khmara was appointed as acting SBU head.
President Zelensky announced on Monday that Maliuk will step down as head of the SBU but remain in the agency to focus on asymmetric operations against Russia.
“We met with Vasyl Maliuk. I thanked him for his combat work and suggested that he focus on this type of work. There should be more Ukrainian asymmetric operations against the occupier and the Russian state, more of our strong results in destroying the enemy”, Zelensky said on his Telegram channel.
“Vasyl Vasylovych knows how to do this best and will continue to do so within the SBU system. I instructed Vasyl Maliuk to make our asymmetric operations the strongest in the world. The resources and political support for this are available. Together, we discussed candidates for the new head of the SBU. Glory to Ukraine!”
In a statement Maliuk confirmed he was stepping down as head of the security Service, but will remain in the SBU “to carry out world-class asymmetric special operations that will continue to inflict maximum damage on the enemy.”
“I am confident that a strong and modern special service is the key to the security of our state. The changes being implemented by the President of Ukraine in the field of defence are aimed at this, and I thank him for that”, he said.
Maliuk added that he was grateful for the support of the SBU, his comrades-in-arms and the people of Ukraine.
The sacking angered some military figures, including former Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh, who opposed the dismissal, praising Maliuk’s operational successes against Russia.
Yarosh called the dismissal a “strategic mistake” and “gift to Putin”.
Ukrainian Pravda revealed that Vasyl Maliuk initially pushed back against Zelensky’s order to dismiss him, arguing that several major operations similar in scale to the Spiderweb operation were nearing completion and that interrupting them would be irresponsible.
Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert “Madyar” Brovdi and Joint Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi cautioned against hasty action, highlighting the SBU’s effective track record.
Rostyslav Shurma, the former deputy head of Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidential office, had his residence in Germany raided by Bavarian investigators at the request of Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators. https://t.co/8JdO9hSGzZ
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) August 1, 2025
Zelensky’s government has been mired in accusations of corruption, with the most spectacular claims alleging a sprawling $100 million (€86.5 million) kickback, money laundering, and extortion scheme within key sectors such as defence and energy.
Investigators famously discovered a gold-plated toilet and other lavish fixtures in the apartment of Tymur Mindich, a one-time close associate of Zelensky.
This scandal caused an anti-corruption raid on Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s longtime chief of staff, leading to his resignation .
In July 2025, the SBU conducted searches at NABU offices, which many viewed as an attempt to obstruct the anti-corruption probes.
The SBU framed the move as a crackdown on Russian influence, accusing NABU officers of having ties with Moscow. Anti-corruption activists and civil society groups rejected this explanation.
Maliuk was also accused of running extortion schemes and maintaining a neutral stance during the Yermak-led crackdown, which reportedly irked Zelensky’s inner circle, who said his “neutrality seemed insufficient” to some.
By early January 2026, pressure mounted, with Zelensky hinting at Maliuk’s imminent dismissal.
Next to the resignation of several top officials, corruption scandals have sparked public protests, and drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine’s Western allies, who have called for stronger anti-corruption measures.
Zelensky has responded by pledging to overhaul state-owned energy companies and increase transparency, but the crisis continues to undermine confidence in his administration.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities arrested several officials, including an MP with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party. https://t.co/y48xxp78Ot
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) August 5, 2025
