--- title: "Intelligence denies 'struggle for influence': Budanov and Ivashchenko work in a unified mode" description: "🇺🇦 The GUR refuted rumors of a 'struggle for influence' between Oleh Ivashchenko and Kyrylo Budanov. An official source called the publications 'media insinuations'. 🤝 Despite the change of roles, the generals continue an active dialogue and work in a unified mode. 🔍 Joint participation in negotiations with the US on the peace plan confirms the absence of conflict. 📉 Rumors of a 'purge' of personnel in intelligence have not been confirmed." date: 2026-08-12T17:32:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/intelligence-denies-struggle-for-influence-budanov-and-ivashchenko-work-in-unified-mode tags: [ukraine-war, gur-ukraine, kirill-budanov, oleg-ivashchenko, ukraine-politics] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Intelligence denies 'struggle for influence': Budanov and Ivashchenko work in a unified mode ![Kyrylo Budanov, head of SBU, in an official setting, refuting rumors of internal disagreements](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/12/gur-oprovergli-borbu-vliyanij-budanov-i-ivashchenko-rabotayut-vmeste/gur-oprovergli-borbu-vliyanij-budanov-i-ivashchenko-rabotayut-vmeste-1.webp) In recent weeks, the Ukrainian information space has been actively discussing rumors of a so-called 'struggle for influence' between the current head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense, Oleh Ivashchenko, and his predecessor, the current head of the Office of the President (OP), Kyrylo Budanov. However, official representatives of the agency have categorically refuted these claims, calling them 'media insinuations' and conspiracy theories. ### Official position: working dialogue instead of confrontation As reported by RBC-Ukraine citing Interfax-Ukraine, the intelligence agency stated that both generals maintain a constant and constructive dialogue. According to the publication's sources, officers who have defended Ukraine for years remain in all key positions within the GUR structure, refuting the version of a 'purge' or personnel reshuffles in the interests of one of the leaders. 'It is clear that certain changes are taking place, and this is normal; every commander has the right to their own vision of the strategy for the development of the structure, for the results of which they are personally responsible. But both continue the dialogue, communicate at meetings and gatherings, everything is in a working mode, specific, military-style,' emphasized a source in the agency. He also noted that both generals have effectively served their entire lives in intelligence and value the traditions of the agency, which excludes the possibility of an open conflict. ### Joint work on the peace plan Proof of the lack of discord between the leaders is their joint activity at the highest state levels. In particular, in August 2026, it became known that both Oleh Ivashchenko and Kyrylo Budanov were involved in negotiations with the US delegation regarding the peace plan. According to sources, discussing key issues of security and diplomacy requires close coordination between the operational leadership of intelligence and strategic planning in the OP. This format of interaction confirms the thesis of command unity. If there were a real 'struggle for influence,' joint participation in such delicate negotiations would be impossible or extremely difficult. In fact, their work demonstrates synergy: Ivashchenko is responsible for current intelligence support, while Budanov, as head of the OP, coordinates the political vector. ### Contradictory data Despite the denials, a version continues to circulate in a number of media outlets that Oleh Ivashchenko is allegedly trying to weaken Kyrylo Budanov's influence on the GUR by removing his people from positions. This information, which appeared earlier, became the basis for speculation about an internal crisis in the special services. On the one hand, supporters of this version point to the natural change of personnel when leadership changes as a sign of a 'clean-up' of the agency. On the other hand, the official leadership of the GUR insists on the stability of the personnel composition and the absence of political games. The contradiction lies in the interpretation of standard personnel transfers: what some see as a 'struggle for influence,' others call 'normal course of service'. ### Historical context of the appointment To understand the situation, it is important to recall the chronology of events. In early January 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Kyrylo Budanov as head of the Office of the President, replacing Andriy Yermak in this post. At the same time, Oleh Ivashchenko became the new head of the GUR, having previously headed the Foreign Intelligence Service (SBU) of Ukraine. This rotation was perceived by the expert community as a logical step to strengthen the vertical of power and delineate powers. However, in the context of the ongoing war, any changes in the leadership of special services become a subject of close attention and are often interpreted through the prism of intrigue, even if there is no real basis for it. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Буданов и Иващенко привлечены к переговорам с США по мирному плану](https://www.unian.net/politics/budanov-i-ivashchenko-privlecheny-k-peregovoram-s-ssha-po-mirnomu-planu-13203357.html) - Подтверждает совместную работу генералов на высоком уровне. - [Буданов, Иващенко и Умеров обсудили "мирный" план с делегацией США: подробности](https://zn.ua/POLITICS/budanov-ivashchenko-i-umerov-obsudili-mirnyj-plan-s-delehatsiej-ssha-podrobnosti.html) - Дополнительное подтверждение совместной деятельности. - [К обсуждению мирного плана с США привлечены Буданов и Иващенко, - источник](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/obgovorennya-mirnogo-planu-ssha-zalucheni-1763721266.html) - Источник основной информации об опровержении слухов. - [Зеленский назначил главой ГУР экс-главу СВР Украины Иващенко](https://www.dw.com/ru/zelenskij-naznacil-glavoj-gur-vmesto-budanova-byvsego-glavu-svr-ukrainy-ivasenko/a-75371227) - Подтверждено по источнику dw.com