SBU chief launches major agency purge but lacks votes for permanent appointment
Acting head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) Oleksandr Poklad has launched a sweeping personnel overhaul to build his own chain of command, though parliament currently lacks the votes to permanently confirm him, Ukrainska Pravda reported on August 11.
Ukrainian Security Service Chief Oleksandr Poklad has initiated a major personnel overhaul, but his bid for permanent appointment remains unsuccessful due to lack of parliamentary support. Within a month of assuming leadership, Poklad has established new leadership within nine regional SBU branches. Brigadier General Oleh Fedoriv has taken over Special Group Alpha, with further central directorate shakeups likely to follow.
The upcoming purge targets the heads of the Logistics and Operational Documentation departments, with Poklad's supporters Andrii Tupikov and Yaroslav Merezhko remaining in place. Former counterintelligence chief Yaroslav Merezhko oversees military counterintelligence and critical infrastructure protection, while Denys Kylymnyk leads the Anti-Terrorist Center and oversees Alpha's long-range operations.
Sources suggest that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy bypassed Khmara and appointed Poklad directly, bypassing Khmara without his knowledge. Law enforcement officials speculate that Poklad is more willing to use any means to carry out the president's instructions, while Khmara adheres strictly to the law. The legislative body currently lacks the required 226 votes to appoint Poklad permanently, and it remains uncertain whether the ruling Servant of the People party can secure the necessary majority.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
