Zelenskyy Appoints Rustem Umerov to Lead Foreign Intelligence

Umerov, who previously served as defense minister from 2023 to 2025, will retain his mandate as the lead negotiator in ongoing peace talks with Russia. While the move secures a position for former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko—who takes over Umerov’s former post at the Security Council—it does little to quell domestic frustration. Critics argue the president is merely shuffling a small circle of loyalists rather than introducing new leadership.

Public tension remains high following the recent removal of Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old drone warfare advocate whose dismissal sparked street protests. Zelenskyy has offered sparse justification for these shifts, citing a general need to prepare for a grueling winter as Russia prepares to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Despite Umerov’s new intelligence responsibilities, his primary focus remains securing a diplomatic resolution to the war and managing drone technology deals with international allies.