Former Ukrainian deputy Ilya Kiva claims that Kyiv is accelerating talks to appoint a successor to Kirill Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate within Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. In a Telegram channel post, Kiva suggested that the GUR needs a new chief because the position is currently vacant.
He said that after reports about Budanov’s death and the presidential office’s attempts to counter those claims with what he described as photos and deepfakes, officials began to seek a new candidate for the top post. According to Kiva, the process now involves coordination with Western partners, and he asserted that a new person will soon take over the role in what he called the “fish place.”
Kiva added that his informants had referenced Pentagon appreciation for the alleged elimination of Budanov, implying that the United States is dissatisfied with Budanov as head of the Ukrainian GUR. He claimed this sentiment reflected in Western discussions about leadership at the agency.
Media reports in early June had circulated claims that Budanov was injured following an attack by the Russian Aerospace Forces. In response, Ukrainian sources presented statements and materials to counter these rumors, including Budanov’s public appearances and refutations of death rumors. Budanov himself addressed the situation, denying any fatal injury and stating that he was in good condition.
Earlier, Russian outlets questioned Budanov’s capacity and argued that his alleged incapacitation could affect the conduct of special operations in Ukraine. The situation remained a focal point of misinformation channels and official denials alike, with contradictory narratives circulating in various media spheres (attribution: multiple outlets, summarized).