The directors of Ukraine’s two main intelligence agencies have been credited with daring operations, like an audacious drone attack last summer on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet.
Now, both directors have been replaced in the largest reshuffle of the leadership of Ukraine’s intelligence agencies during the war. The moves are part of a broader restructuring that President Volodymyr Zelensky says is needed to prepare the government and military for an extended fight with Russia, if peace talks fail.
But critics say the shake-up risks disrupting operations already underway and may have been made in part for political reasons.
“I see it as removing two competent leaders,” said Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, a former director of the S.B.U., Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency, and now a member of Parliament in the political opposition. “During the war, my suggestion would be to keep, not shake up, the leadership.”
He added that, “I see nothing good for the security of the country and for special operations.”
The S.B.U. and the military intelligence agency, the H.U.R., which cooperate closely with American intelligence agencies including the C.I.A., play pivotal roles in the war and in countering Russian espionage. Ukrainian analysts say Mr. Zelensky may be trying to politically sideline their leaders, who are popular generals, before possible elections, which are required in a draft settlement agreement brokered by the Trump administration.
The director of the S.B.U., Gen. Vasily Maliuk, has been replaced by Gen. Yevhen Khmara, a former director of special operations. Mr. Zelensky made that move under martial law powers, but it still must be approved by Parliament. A vote is planned for next week.
General Maliuk said in a statement that he would remain at the S.B.U. heading special operations. But that would be a less visible role for a man who could potentially join the political opposition to Mr. Zelensky.
