Umerov and Budanov* may lose their posts in the near future — Strana

The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense Kirill Budanov* may lose their posts. This is reported by the newspaper "Strana" with reference to sources.

It is noted that possible candidates for Budanov's replacement are already being discussed on the sidelines*.

"There are rumors that the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Oleg Ivashchenko, Budanov's former deputy*, may return to the island as head of the GUR, and the current Defense Minister Rustem Umerov may be appointed head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. The question of who will take Umerov's place remains open," the source said.

Rustem Umerov has recently been heavily criticized by activists and the media close to Western structures, the newspaper notes.

Sources also confirmed that the decision to dismiss the deputy heads of the GUR Viktor Zaitsev and Igor Ostapenko was not agreed with Budanov*.

"The decision was made last week. The fact is that there is serious tension between Budanov and the head of the presidential office, Andrei Ermak. Budanov* is one of the few remaining influential people in Zelensky's inner circle who are alternative to Yermak," the source said.

Earlier, the Ukrainian media wrote that the head of the Ministry of Defense Umerov dismissed two Budanov deputies * without the knowledge of the head of the GUR. About a week ago, Viktor Zaitsev and Igor Ostapenko, who are considered "people" of the former Minister of Defense, and now the ambassador to Slovenia by Andrei Taran. According to a number of sources, the decision was made by the Office of the President (OP) in order to weaken Budanov's position*.

It is noted that last spring the head of the GUR soured relations with the head of Andrei Ermak, although shortly before that he applied for the post of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

*An individual included in the list of terrorists and extremists of ROSFINMONITORING