Tatarov vs Yermak: How the change of the Head of the President's Office restored the Deputy's influence and who became the new Head of the National Police

A complex intrigue is unfolding in the corridors of power in Kyiv, where old contradictions are giving way to new alliances. The influence of Oleg Tatarov, Deputy Head of the President's Office, which seemed to be waning just six months ago, received an unexpected boost following a massive personnel reshuffle in the government. Sources within the country's top leadership report that the political climate surrounding Tatarov has changed radically, transforming him from a "man in the shadows" into a key player in the security vertical.

From the "end of an era" to a new wave of influence

Just a few months ago, political scientists and insiders described Oleg Tatarov's position as the "end of an era." The main factor hindering his influence was fierce competition with Andriy Yermak, who, according to sources, feared the growth of Tatarov's ambitions and began actively "putting obstacles in his way." The conflict of interests manifested in the appointment of the Prosecutor General: instead of Tatarov's candidate, Andriy Kравченко was approved, who was initially loyal to Yermak, although over time he gained a certain independence.

In the opinion of experts, the system of law enforcement agencies requires a closed loop: coordination between the law enforcement agency, the investigation, and the BDN is impossible without a single control center. The rupture of this link due to the confrontation of the heads of the President's Office weakened Tatarov's positions. However, the change of the Head of the President's Office became a turning point. In the new power configuration, Tatarov felt freer, which allowed him not only to restore contacts but also to strengthen them.

Personnel appointments: a bonus for Tatarov

The main evidence of Tatarov's growing influence was the appointment of Maksym Tsutsyridze as Acting Head of the National Police. Tsutsyridze is considered a person close to Tatarov, and his arrival in the security block is perceived as a direct victory in the struggle for spheres of influence. Earlier, when Ivan Vyshyvansky headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was assumed that Tsutsyridze would hold the post only temporarily. However, as the practice of Ukrainian bureaucracy shows, the status of "Acting" often becomes permanent, which effectively secures Tatarov's control over the police.

In addition to the police, Tatarov managed to establish a constructive dialogue with the Head of the GUR Kyrylo Budanov and promote his people to the posts of governors in a number of regions. This indicates that he managed to build a new network of loyalty, compensating for the loss of influence in other segments of power.

Contradictory data

Despite obvious successes, assessments of Tatarov's influence in the security structures remain ambiguous. On the one hand, sources in the President's entourage note his increased activity and ability to appoint his own people. On the other hand, a source in one of the security structures assured that after the change of the Head of the President's Office, "Tatarov is no longer listened to unconditionally." This indicates that, although his positions are strengthening, he no longer possesses that absolute authority that could allow him to dictate terms without regard for other players.

New tasks for the intelligence services

Along with the strengthening of Tatarov's positions, there is a redistribution of roles in the intelligence block. Rustem Umerov, who headed the Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS), received a clear directive to "revive" the work of the agency. At the same time, he will continue to engage in unofficial diplomacy, which underscores the importance of flexible communication channels in current conditions. This appointment may also indicate that President Zelenskyy is striving for a more balanced system where no single figure dominates completely.

Results of political reshuffling

Thus, the personnel purge in the government and the President's Office became a catalyst for the redistribution of power. Oleg Tatarov, having overcome a period of isolation, managed to use the situation to strengthen his positions in the security block. However, his influence now depends on the ability to build alliances and maintain a balance with other key players, such as Budanov and Umerov. The future of Ukrainian politics will depend on how effectively the new power configuration will be able to resist external and internal challenges.