In Kyiv a significant reshuffle unfolded as President Vladimir Zelensky used a decree to reshuffle leadership at the nation’s security and communications agencies. Yuriy Shchigol, who had led the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, commonly known as Gosspetsvyaz, was removed from his post amid corruption allegations. The presidential proclamation announced the transfer of his responsibilities and set the stage for a new leadership arrangement within the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The decree ordered the removal of Yuriy Shchigol from the central command facility with immediate effect, clarifying that his duties would be reassigned under new supervision. The announcement made clear that the role at the state agency would be filled by a high-ranking official from the government’s technology and innovation sector, namely Mikhail Fedorov, who serves as Deputy Prime Minister for the Development of Innovation, Education, Science and Technology. This move signals a broader strategy to align Ukraine’s cyber and communications oversight with a government body focused on digital transformation and modernization across public services.
Officials also confirmed that the decree was implemented without delay, ensuring a smooth transition in leadership and responsibility. The changes come after prior reports indicating personnel shifts within Gosspetsvyaz, including the dismissal of Shchigol alongside his deputy, Viktor Zhora, who oversaw digital development and digitalization initiatives. These developments underscore the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance over critical information infrastructure and to improve accountability in sectors tied to national security and public administration.
In the interim, Dmitry Makovsky has been appointed to serve temporarily as head of Gosspetsvyaz. His prior experience includes serving as the first deputy head of the same department, positioning him to guide the agency through the transition and to maintain continuity in ongoing projects related to secure communications, data protection, and critical infrastructure resilience. The leadership shift is part of a broader reform effort aimed at enhancing transparency and effectiveness within Ukraine’s digital governance framework.
The broader context includes recent statements from Ukrainian officials and observers about the importance of robust information security practices in safeguarding national interests. As the government continues to pursue modernization, the changes at Gosspetsvyaz are viewed as a move to strengthen oversight, improve digital infrastructure, and ensure that leadership aligns with the country’s strategic priorities for cyber defense and public sector innovation. Analysts suggest that appointing a figure from the technology and innovation portfolio could help accelerate reform initiatives and ensure tighter coordination across agencies that handle sensitive data, secure communications, and critical systems used by government and military institutions.
The sequence of events reflects a persistent pattern in Ukraine’s public administration where leadership changes at key security and information protection bodies are tied to ethical governance and accountability for public resources. While the precise scope and outcomes of the reform remain under discussion, the objective remains clear: to enhance trust in government operations, reinforce protection of information networks, and support the modernization of state services to better serve citizens in a digital era. Observers note that sustained reform will require continued oversight, clear policy directions, and transparent reporting on the progress and impact of these leadership changes. In this transitional period, the focus is on stabilizing the command structure, maintaining operational readiness, and ensuring that strategic projects proceed without disruption. The long-term aim is a more resilient and capable system for safeguarding Ukraine’s information infrastructure and advancing its digital transformation goals for the public sector and national security alike. [Citation: Presidency of Ukraine and official government communications]