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Zelenskyy appoints security council chief Umerov as head of Foreign Intelligence Service

03 August 2026 15:16 (UTC +04:00)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday he had decided to appoint former Defense Minister and National Security and Defense Council chief Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, Anadolu Agency reports.

Speaking in an address broadcast by Ukrainian television channels, Zelenskyy also named Ihor Klymenko as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

Umerov most recently served as Ukraine's defense minister. Before taking over the post in 2023, he headed Ukraine's State Property Fund and was also a member of the Ukrainian parliament.

Klymenko has served as Ukraine's interior minister since 2023 after previously leading the National Police.

The appointments come amid a broader reshuffle in Ukraine's government and security institutions.

In recent weeks, Zelenskyy has announced several changes affecting the cabinet, the Security Service of Ukraine and the country's military leadership.

Ilgar Khudiyev

Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Rustem Umerov Ihor Klymenko Foreign Intelligence Service National Security and Defense Council Ukraine government cabinet reshuffle security services defense minister interior minister National Police intelligence Kyiv Anadolu Agency