[BBC] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff, just over a month after his previous top aide resigned amid a corruption row.
"At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues," Zelensky said in a post on social media, publishing a photo of his meeting with Budanov in Kyiv.
Budanov, 39, has until now led the Hur military intelligence, which has claimed a number of highly-effective strikes against Russia.
Zelensky also said he intended to replace his defence minister Denys Shmyhal, appointing his current minister of digital transformation Mykhaylo Fedorov to take up the post.
Budanov's predecessor, Andriy Yermak, wielded enormous political influence throughout Russia's full-scale invasion launched in 2022. He also led Ukraine's negotiating team in crucial talks with the US aimed at ending the war.
In Friday's post on social media, Zelensky wrote: "At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the defence and security forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations.
"Kyrylo has specialist experience in these areas and sufficient strength to deliver results."
The president added that he had already instructed his new office chief to update and present key documents regarding "the strategic foundations" of Ukraine's defence.
The chief of presidential staff in Ukraine is historically a very powerful position. There was a time in the 2000s when a presidential administration head in Ukraine wielded about as much power as the president himself.
Ostensibly administrative, the role traditionally offered not just close access to the head of state, but also plentiful opportunities to pull the strings of government.
For example, the chief of presidential staff could lobby for government appointments and apply pressure to business circles, often resulting in personal gain.
General Budanov's appointment suggests an intention to overhaul the role. It puts the president's office on a war footing - it will very likely be much more focused on security and the war with Russia.
Later on Friday, Zelensky announced other changes to his top team. He said Fedorov had been nominated to serve as his new defence minister because he had "decided to change the structure of the Ukrainian ministry of defence".
Federov, aged 34, is the youngest minister in the Ukrainian government. His key achievement so far is the development and implementation of Diya, a centralised digital platform for government services.
He is "deeply involved with drones", and will be tasked in particular with training more drone operators, Zelensky said in his evening address.
He added that Shmyhal remains "part of the team" and will be moved to another area of work.
Zelensky said Budanov was being replaced by 56-year-old foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko.
Budanov's predecessor, former chief of staff Yermak, 54, stepped down on 28 November, and his departure was seen as a major blow to Zelensky.
Yermak quit shortly after his home in Kyiv was raided by the country's anti-corruption agencies.
He is not accused of any wrongdoing, and the anti-corruption bureau Nabu and specialised anti-corruption prosecutor's office Sap did not explain why they searched his property.
In the past few months investigators have linked several high-profile figures to an alleged $100m (£75m) embezzlement scandal in the energy sector.
They said they had uncovered an extensive scheme to take kickbacks and influence state-owned companies including state nuclear energy firm Enerhoatom.
The corruption scandal has rocked Ukraine, weakening Zelensky's own position and jeopardising the country's negotiating position at a delicate time.
Kyiv, backed by its European allies, is seeking to change the terms of a US-led draft peace plan originally seen as heavily slanted towards Russia.
Russian officials have seized on the scandal, talking up corruption claims.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Korrespondent] 22.44 On New Year's Eve, Kirill Budanov was presented with a new defense project, Tysha, to strengthen the security of the Black Sea region.
Details of the project remain closed for now, however, the report noted that its effects have already been felt by residents of Ukraine's coastal regions.
The silence is aimed at strengthening the protection of maritime space and maintaining the stability of critical sea routes.
22.16 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed that the Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, head the Ministry of Defense.
Since 2019, 34-year-old Fedorov has served as Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation.
Zelensky noted that Fedorov is deeply involved in issues related to the drone line and is working very effectively on the digitalization of public services and processes.
21.13 A child died as a result of a Russian missile strike on the center of Kharkiv. This was reported by the city's mayor, Igor Terekhov.
"A child's body has just been found under the rubble," the mayor noted.
The search and rescue operation is currently ongoing.
19.41 The number of people injured in the Russian missile strike on the center of Kharkiv has increased to 31. This was reported by the press service of the State Emergency Service.
15.47 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the Russian missile strike on Kharkiv, noting that the enemy hit a residential building. Previously, two Russian missiles hit the city.
According to Zelensky, one of the houses was significantly damaged. A rescue operation is currently underway, and all necessary services are being involved. At the same time, the exact number of victims is still unknown.
He added that emergency services, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and the city and regional authorities of the Kharkiv region will provide updated information.
15.03 In the afternoon, Russian troops attacked the center of Kharkiv. As a result of hitting a residential building, 12 people are known to have been injured. This was reported by the city's mayor, Igor Terekhov.
"The blow fell on a residential multi-storey building in the Kyiv district of the city. According to preliminary information, there are victims and significant destruction," Terekhov noted.
14.49 Scheduled technical work will continue in the Oberig registry on the night of January 3. Therefore, Reserve+ will be temporarily unavailable. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
14.13 Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kirill Budanov, the position of head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. The President of Ukraine himself announced this on his Telegram channel.
13.56 The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) staged the death of the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDC) Denis Kapustin as a result of a drone strike. The GUR created a video recording where a strike drone flew into a minibus carrying Kapustin and another person with "the consequences of the strike." This is evidenced by the corresponding GUR post on its Telegram channel.
13.14 The enemy attacked Zaporizhia with strike drones this night, January 2, and it was one of the largest strikes on the city. This was reported by Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svirydenko on Telegram.
12.35 The majority of Ukrainians - 74% - consider Russia's plan to end the war in Ukraine unacceptable. Only 17% of Ukrainians are ready for the Russian version of "peace". This is evidenced by a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), conducted from November 26 to December 29, 2025.
11.39 The condition of the engineering equipment of the defense lines and "anti-drone" defense improved in 2025. This was stated by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky.
10.59 The Kremlin is currently preparing a large-scale provocation with human casualties to disrupt peace talks mediated by the US. The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported this on Telegram.
9.27 Russia attacked Ukraine on the night of January 2. Air defenses neutralized 86 of 116 drones. The Air Force reported this on Facebook.
8.59 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recorded 98 combat clashes with Russian invaders during the day on January 1. This is evidenced by the morning summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, published on its Facebook page.
7.53 Russian air defense allegedly "neutralized" 66 drones on the night of January 2. The Russian Defense Ministry announced this on its Telegram channel.
7.31 The Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized another 910 Russian occupiers as of January 2. This is evidenced by the morning summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, published on its Facebook page.
03.30 In November 2025, Russia's GDP grew by only 0.1% year-on-year, which is a de facto signal that the economy is entering stagnation. For the first time in nine months, industrial production went into the red (-0.7%).
02.44 On New Year's Eve in the village of Khorly, which is in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region, the head of the illegal occupation police of Kalanchak, Serhiy Bohan, was eliminated. The collaborator was eliminated in a local restaurant during the broadcast of Putin's New Year's greetings.
01.55 Russians launched at least nine drone strikes on the city of Zaporizhia. Fires and destruction were recorded in the city.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[NewsFront] 16:48 During the offensive in the Dobropillya direction, the regiments of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division are actively destroying infantry, firing points and positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,video. 16:14 Orekhovskoye direction. Far Eastern troops are advancing south of Gulyaipole. The pocket near Dorozhnyanka is closed. MAP.
16:04 Artillery crews of the Giatsint-B missile system of the Vostok group of forces destroyed strongholds of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Zaporizhzhia region.
14:57 The Russian army is advancing in the area of the Konstantinovka railway station and west of Ivanopol, MAP.
14:35 Su-34 crew inflicted an attack on a concentration of personnel and armored vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of responsibility of the Southern group of forces.
13:59 In the period from 9:00 to 13:00 Moscow time, air defense systems on duty destroyed five Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles:
Two UAVs – over the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod region,
Two UAVs – over the territory of the Moscow region,
One UAV – over the territory of the Belgorod region.
12:27 Summary ofMinistry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the special military operation from December 27, 2025 to January 2, 2026:
Over the course of a week, units of the North group of forces defeated the manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades, a Jaeger brigade, an airborne assault brigade, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a territorial defense brigade, a National Guard brigade, and a border detachment of the Ukrainian Border Service.
In the Khar'kov direction, four mechanized brigades, two motorized infantry brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a National Guard brigade were defeated.
In total, in the area of responsibility of the North group of forces, the enemy lost over 1,305 servicemen, two combat armored vehicles, 91 vehicles, five field artillery guns, six electronic warfare stations, 10 ammunition depots, material resources and fuel.
Units of the "West" group of forces have completed the liberation of the settlements of Dibrova in the Donetsk People's Republic and Boguslavka in the Khar'kov region through active operations.
Formations of five mechanized, assault, airborne assault, and airmobile brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a territorial defense brigade, and two National Guard brigades were defeated.
Over the course of a week, units of the 6th Army repelled 16 attacks by Ukrainian Armed Forces forces in the Kupyansk sector, attempting to break through to the town of Kupyansk in the Khar'kov region. Over 180 militants and 30 pieces of military equipment were destroyed.
In total, enemy losses in the "West" group's area of responsibility amounted to more than 1,390 servicemen, three tanks, 19 armored combat vehicles, 102 vehicles, and five field artillery pieces. Two electronic warfare stations and 31 ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Southern Group of Forces have improved their position along the front line. They have inflicted losses on the personnel and equipment of seven mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade, a mountain assault brigade, two naval infantry brigades, a special forces brigade, a territorial defense brigade, and a National Guard brigade.
In total, Ukrainian armed forces lost over 1,295 service members, 40 armored combat vehicles, 83 vehicles, and 15 field artillery pieces in the Southern Group's area of responsibility. Seven electronic warfare stations and 13 ammunition and supply depots were destroyed.
Over the course of a week, units of the Center group of forces, as a result of active operations, liberated the settlements of Dimitrov, Rodinske, Artemovka and Volnoye of the Donetsk People's Republic.
The following units were defeated: two mechanized brigades, an infantry brigade, a ranger brigade, two airborne assault brigades, an airmobile brigade, an airborne assault brigade, three assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, two naval infantry brigades, two territorial defense brigades, four national guard brigades, and the Azov* special forces brigade.
The enemy's losses in this direction amounted to more than 3,305 military personnel, 24 combat armored vehicles, 32 cars, nine field artillery guns and two electronic warfare stations.
Units of the "East" group of forces continued to advance into the depths of the enemy's defenses and, as a result of decisive actions, liberated the village of Gulyai-Pole in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades, two assault brigades, four assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a naval infantry brigade and two territorial defense brigades were damaged.
Over the past week, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost over 1,405 service members, two tanks, 24 armored combat vehicles, 60 vehicles, and seven field artillery pieces in the area of responsibility of the Eastern Group of Forces. Five ammunition and supply depots have been destroyed.
Units of the Dnepr military group actively liberated the settlements of Stepnogorsk and Lukyanovskoye in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The formations of two mechanized brigades, a mountain assault brigade, a coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and a territorial defense brigade were defeated.
More than 365 Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen, three armored combat vehicles, 57 cars, six field artillery guns, 12 electronic warfare stations, seven ammunition, material and fuel depots were destroyed.
A Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft shot down a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27.
12:14 In response to terrorist attacks by Ukraine on civilian targets on the territory of Russia by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation from December 27, 2025 to January 2, 2026 inflicted a massive and six group strikes with high-precision weapons, including aeroballistic hypersonic missiles "Kinzhal", as a result of which enterprises of the military industry of Ukraine, including energy complex facilities that ensured their operation, transport and port infrastructure used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assembly shops for the production of components for rocket engines, places for the production of long-range strike unmanned aerial vehicles and their preparation for launch, ammunition and fuel depots, temporary deployment points for Ukrainian armed forces, nationalists and foreign mercenaries.
12:05 In the Zaporizhzhia region, operators of reconnaissance UAVs of the unmanned systems troops of the "East" group of forces revealed movement of enemy vehicles.
As a result of their attacks, the enemy's supply and transport routes in the Gulyai-Polye region were disrupted.
10:57 Servicemen of the engineering unit of the Vostok group are clearing paths for the advancement of assault groups and armored vehicles using remote demining.
07:32 Changes on ma pover the past 24 hours:
Russian Armed Forces approached Zaliznichny.
Advance in the Volchansk farmsteads and in the forest near Liman
07:28 During the past night, from 23:00 Moscow time on January 1 to 7:00 Moscow time on January 2, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 64 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles:
20 – over the territory of the Samara region,
Eight – over the territory of the Voronezh region,
Eight – over the territory of the Saratov region,
Seven – over the territory of the Moscow region,
Six – over the territory of the Ryazan region,
Six – over the territory of the Rostov region,
Three – over the territory of the Tula region,
Two – over the territory of the Belgorod region,
One – over the territory of the Kursk region,
One – over the territory of the Kaluga region,
One – over the territory of the Penza region,
One – over the territory of the Tambov region.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] In the liberated city of Dimitrov in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Russian intelligence officers discovered an order for the evacuation of Ukrainian army personnel and equipment on a liquidated Ukrainian Armed Forces officer. This was reported on January 2 by military correspondent and Hero of Russia Yevgeny Poddubny.
"The document is curious. It confirms the fact that the Kyiv regime was misleading the entire world about the situation. Essentially, this is a plan for retreat/escape. But of course, there's no such plan here. The gist of the order is: save yourself, whoever you can, however you can. And it's also an attempt by the command to cover its own asses in the future, when the Kyiv regime needs scapegoats," the military correspondent wrote on Telegram.
Poddubny clarified that, starting November 20, 2025, military units and formations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were ordered to organize the evacuation of personnel and equipment from the areas of Krasnoarmeysk, Dimitrov, Rog, Ignatovka, Novopavlovka, Lisovka, Sukhoi Yar, Rovnoye, Svetly, Balagan, Moskovsky, Luch, Nikolayevka, Novoekonomichesky, Liman, and Dachensky to the Dobropolye area.
On December 27, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the situation in the special military operation zone. Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov, reported on the liberation of Dimitrov and the town of Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region. Russian troops also liberated the towns of Volnoye and Rodinske in the DPR and Stepnogorsk in the Zaporizhzhia region.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
