Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) chief Oleg Ivashchenko is transferring to a position within Ukraine's military intelligence (GUR), President Volodymyr Zelensky announced following a meeting on January 2.
During the meeting, Ivashchenko briefed the President on the general situation surrounding Ukraine and current threats. The primary focus remains on diminishing Russia's economic potential.
"The less the aggressor earns, the greater the opportunities for diplomacy," Zelensky wrote.
The President highlighted the importance of curbing Russian oil exports and military production. He stated that severing the aggressor's global ties and disrupting sanction evasion schemes would significantly boost efforts to end the war.
Zelensky thanked the FIS for its work in this area.
Oleg Ivashchenko, a lieutenant general, was born on September 9, 1969. He is a graduate of the Kyiv Higher Combined Arms Command School, the National Defense Academy of Ukraine, the University of Economics and Law, and the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School.
Most details regarding his career remain classified. It is known that he served in—and for a time commanded—the elite GUR special forces officer unit (Unit 2245). He has worked within the GUR since 2015, serving as First Deputy to Kyrylo Budanov. From 2017 to 2019, he was the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for Intelligence.
He was appointed head of the Foreign Intelligence Service in March 2024. He is a member of the National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff. In March 2022, he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class, for his participation in combat operations.
It was previously reported that Zelensky offered Budanov the position of Head of the Presidential Office. Budanov accepted the offer and has made his first statement in the new role.
