It's Official: Zelenskyy Appoints Umerov As Head Of The Foreign Intelligence Service

• 3.08.2026, 14:27

He previously served as head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

On Monday, August 3, the President of Ukraine appointed the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov to the position of head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

The corresponding decree was published on the website of the Office of the President.

During the annual ambassadors’ meeting in Kyiv, Zelenskyy explained that this position will allow Umerov to continue coordinating work with partners and efforts to end the war.

“Umerov will be appointed head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service,” Zelenskyy said.

Umerov served as Ukraine’s Minister of Defense from 2023 to 2025, after which he was appointed by Zelenskyy to the position of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

Earlier, media outlets reported that Zelenskyy had decided to appoint NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov as head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Zelensky had offered Igor Klimenko, who had served as acting Minister of Internal Affairs for several years, the position of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.