On 5 January, Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), who has led Ukraine's distancing from Russia's special service influence, announced his resignation. He will remain within the SBU system to carry out special operations aimed at inflicting maximum damage to Russian forces, he said.
Maliuk led the Spiderweb operation in 2025, which targeted 41 Russian military aircraft across four airfields in Russia. The drones for the mission were hidden in modular wooden cabins placed inside Russian trucks, with their roofs remotely opened for launch near the bases. The drivers who transported did not know what the "goods" they were transporting.
According to Maliuk, the decision was made in coordination with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who tasked him with making Ukraine’s asymmetric operations direction the strongest in the world.
“I am stepping down as head of the SBU, but I remain in the system to carry out world-class asymmetric special operations that will continue to cause the enemy maximum harm,” Maliuk stated.
"Leaving the position, staying in the system"
Maliuk officially agreed to resign as SBU chief, emphasizing that his mission is far from over. He underlined that a modern and powerful intelligence service is a cornerstone of Ukraine’s security, especially during a full-scale war.
“The SBU will continue fulfilling its tasks. We will keep striking the occupier on land, in the air, and at sea, penetrating deep into the enemy’s rear and hitting where they least expect it,” he said.
Who will lead the SBU next?
President Zelenskyy appointed Yevhenii Khmara as acting Head of the SBU. Khmara is a seasoned special operations officer who has served in the SBU’s Alpha Special Operations Center. His appointment is expected to ensure operational continuity.
Maliuk thanked the SBU personnel, his comrades-in-arms, and the Ukrainian people, stressing that leadership changes do not mean a weakening of the service.
Operations that changed the course of the war
Under Maliuk’s leadership, the SBU conducted a series of unprecedented operations that reshaped the battlefield. Among them:
- Three strikes on the Crimean Bridge, using a truck bomb, surface drones, and underwater drones
- Development and deployment of Sea Baby naval drones, which hit 14 Russian warships, effectively breaking Russia’s dominance in the Black Sea
- The first-ever strike on a Russian Kilo-class submarine in Novorossiysk
Additional efforts included systematic deep strikes on Russia’s oil refining sector, the elimination of war criminals, and a large-scale purge of Russian agents within the SBU.
During Maliuk’s tenure, the service has reportedly prevented up to 80% of terrorist attacks planned by Russian intelligence.
