Zelensky Appoints Poklad as Acting SBU Head and Beskrestnov as Tech Advisor

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed decrees on Friday, July 17, appointing Oleksandr Poklad as the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Serhiy Beskrestnov as a freelance presidential advisor on technological defense development.

According to Decree No. 622/2026, published on the Office of the President’s website, Poklad will temporarily assume the duties of the SBU head. Prior to this appointment, Poklad served as the first deputy head of the security agency.

The vacancy at the SBU follows Zelensky’s decision earlier this week to appoint the former SBU head, Yevhen Khmara, as acting defense minister amid a broader government reshuffle.

Zelensky also held a meeting on July 17 with Beskrestnov, a defense technology specialist known by the call sign “Flash.” According to the president, the two discussed current technological requirements in the defense sector and agreed to cooperate on development initiatives.

In a statement on Telegram, Beskrestnov confirmed the meeting and detailed his decision to accept the advisory role. He reported that Zelensky offered him a position in the Ministry of Defense, which he declined.

Beskrestnov stated his refusal was based on his professional association with former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Beskrestnov explained that he initially joined the defense ministry at Fedorov’s invitation as a personal advisor and cited ethical considerations for not remaining in the ministry following Fedorov’s dismissal.

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He noted that the new role as a freelance presidential advisor grants him the authority to influence technological processes in the defense sphere at a national level, beyond the Armed Forces, without political involvement.

Government reshuffle in Ukraine

The recent appointments occur amid an ongoing restructuring of the Ukrainian government. On Thursday, the Verkhovna Rada approved Serhiy Koretsky as the new prime minister, replacing Yulia Svyrydenko, who officially resigned on Tuesday. Parliament subsequently approved Koretsky’s cabinet proposals.

The defense minister position became vacant late Wednesday after Fedorov’s departure. Fedorov stated his exit stemmed from structural disputes with Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Following Fedorov’s dismissal, public protests occurred in several cities calling for his reinstatement.

As part of the reshuffle, Zelensky also offered the position of secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) to former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Klymenko was originally slated to become defense minister prior to Khmara’s appointment.

The president stated Klymenko’s role at the RNBO would focus on coordinating decisions between the council and the military. It has not yet been announced what position the current RNBO secretary, Rustem Umerov, will assume.