Ukraine’s Top Military Spy Not Being Fired, Says Head of HUR
The head of Ukraine‘s military intelligence (HUR), Kyrylo Budanov, has denied rumors that he will be fired. He said on November 29 that the rumors are just “propaganda” spread by Russia.
Budanov was reacting to reports in Ukrainian media that President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s office wanted him replaced with someone who is more loyal. Budanov told BBC Ukraine that this was not true and that he has a good working relationship with the president and his team.
This is not the first time there have been rumors about Budanov being fired. In October, President Zelensky denied similar rumors, saying that he had no intention of replacing him.
Budanov has been in charge of HUR since August 2020. He was appointed when he was just 38 years old. Some people close to the president have lost their jobs recently, including two deputies who worked under Budanov.
The head of HUR said that Russian propaganda is trying to destabilize Ukraine and its government by spreading false information.