Oleksandr Poklad is to take charge of the SBU following Khmara’s move to the Ministry of Defence
‘Ukrainska Pravda’ has reported on the forthcoming appointment, citing sources within President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s team. An official decree appointing Poklada as head of the SBU has not yet been published.
Khmara moves to the Ministry of Defence
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Yevhen Khmara will act as Ukraine’s Minister of Defence. The President also plans to propose to the Verkhovna Rada that he be appointed as the department’s permanent head.
Khmara previously headed the SBU’s Special Operations Centre ‘A’, known as ‘Alpha’. Following his move to the Ministry of Defence, leadership of the Security Service is set to pass to Poklad.
Who is Oleksandr Poklad?
Oleksandr Poklad has served as First Deputy Head of the SBU since 5 January 2026. Prior to this, he held the post of Deputy Head of the Security Service, to which he was appointed in August 2023.
In January 2024, Zelenskyy conferred the military rank of Major General upon Poklad.
His main areas of responsibility at the SBU are counter-intelligence and internal security. In February 2026, the President specifically tasked Poklad with purging the Security Service of staff members acting against Ukraine’s interests.
Back in early January, Zelenskyy had stated that Poklad was responsible for strengthening the counter-intelligence component and the state’s internal security. At that time, the President also announced further personnel decisions within the SBU.
Poklad was being considered for the post of SBU head
According to *Ukrainska Pravda*, the Office of the President had previously discussed appointing Poklad as the full-time head of the SBU. However, due to a possible lack of votes in the Verkhovna Rada, the Presidential Office opted for the option of him acting in an interim capacity.
The appointment of the SBU head requires a parliamentary vote following a proposal by the President. Meanwhile, the President may appoint an interim head of the service by presidential decree.
Follow us on Telegram.
