Rustem Umerov Named Head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service

Rustem Umerov Foreign Intelligence Service Ukraine peace negotiations government reshuffle

President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Rustem Umerov as chief of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) on 3 August 2024. Umerov, who served as defence minister from 2023 to 2025 and most recently as secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, will retain his role as Ukraine’s lead negotiator in peace talks with Russia and the United States.

The move is part of a wide‑scale government reshuffle that began in July 2024, which also saw former interior minister Ihor Klymenko named secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, replacing Umerov. Acting head Oleh Luhovyi, who had been in charge of the intelligence service since February, was dismissed. Umerov will continue to oversee the “Drone Deal” initiative, coordinating agreements with nine partner countries and negotiations with fifteen more.

The appointment follows earlier changes that removed defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov and top military commander Oleksandr Syrsky after public protests, aiming to strengthen Ukraine’s security apparatus ahead of a harsh winter and ongoing Russian attacks.

Entities: Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU) · Ihor Klymenko · National Security and Defence Council · National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine · Oleh Luhovyi · Rustem Umerov · Ukraine Foreign Intelligence Service · Volodymyr Zelensky

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 16 SOURCES] The appointment is part of a broad government reshuffle that began in July 2024. (The appointment is part of a broad government reshuffle that began in July 2024.)
[● 16 SOURCES] Oleh Luhovyi, who had been interim head of the Foreign Intelligence Service since February, was dismissed on 3 August 2024. (Oleh Luhovyi, who had been interim head of the Foreign Intelligence Service since February, was dismissed on 3 August)
[● 16 SOURCES] The Foreign Intelligence Service had been without a permanent director since January 2024. (The Foreign Intelligence Service had been without a permanent director since January 2024.)
[● 16 SOURCES] Umerov will remain involved in peace negotiations with Russia and the United States. (Umerov will remain involved in peace negotiations with Russia and the United States.)
[● 16 SOURCES] Umerov will continue to coordinate the Drone Deal initiative, overseeing agreements with nine countries and negotiations with fifteen more. (Umerov will continue to coordinate the Drone Deal initiative, overseeing agreements with nine countries and negotiations)
[● 16 SOURCES] Rustem Umerov previously served as secretary of the National Security and Defence Council and as defence minister from 2023 to 2025. (Umerov previously served as secretary of the National Security and Defence Council and as defence minister from 2023 to)
[● 16 SOURCES] Ihor Klymenko was appointed secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, replacing Rustem Umerov. (Ihor Klymenko was appointed secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, replacing Rustem Umerov.)
[● 16 SOURCES] President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service on 3 August 2024. (President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Rustem Umerov as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service on 3 August 2024.)