Kyrylo Budanov, an enigmatic Ukrainian spymaster, enters politics. He is reviled in Russia.

A laconic and enigmatic figure, Kyrylo Budanov is known for his audacious operations against Russia as head of Ukrainian military intelligence. He is now entering the political arena, becoming Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff after a surprise appointment to this key position.

Reviled in Russia where he is labeled a "terrorist," this man, who will turn 40 on January 4th, rarely appears in the media and remains very discreet about his background and private life. He is sometimes nicknamed "the man without a smile" for his impassive demeanor.

Yet he is the embodiment of some of the most audacious Ukrainian operations carried out in occupied areas and deep inside Russia.

He replaces Andriy Yermak, one of Ukraine's most powerful men, as president, after Yermak was ousted amid corruption scandals. With this appointment, Kyrylo Budanov gains access to Volodymyr Zelensky and an influence that is likely to worry Moscow.

"We will continue to do our job: defeat the enemy, defend Ukraine and work for a just peace," the former spy chief said shortly after accepting his nomination from the president.

"The bloodthirsty clown (...) has chosen a new chief of staff. It is the terrorist Budanov. An excellent choice," quipped former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, implying that Mr. Zelensky is thus placing a potential political rival under his wing.

Injured three times

Originally from kyiv, a graduate of the Odessa military academy, a member of the special forces, Kyrylo Budanov was unknown to the public when he took over the military intelligence of the Ministry of Defense (GUR) in August 2020 at the age of 34.

When a Russian-orchestrated separatist conflict erupted in the east of the country in 2014, he was deployed there. But nothing leaked about his activities.

One of the few pieces of information made public is his participation in 2016 in a commando operation in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow two years earlier, during which Russian agents were allegedly killed.

Kyrylo Budanov himself doesn't say much about his service record, except that he was wounded three times, including once by shrapnel near the heart.

A gunshot wound to the elbow also left him with a clearly visible stiffness in his right arm.

According to the GUR spokesperson, he was also the target of "more than ten" assassination attempts. In 2019, his car exploded in Kyiv, an attack attributed at the time to Russian special services.

The young officer quickly distinguished himself, becoming one of the country's youngest generals at the age of 35. A symbol of a new generation of military personnel, he enjoys a good reputation within the army.

It was the invasion of February 24, 2022 that put the spotlight on the GUR and its leader, especially since he had publicly predicted, several months before the assault, a large-scale attack.

"We will defeat the 'great and invincible' Russian army, just as David defeated Goliath," Budanov asserted, whom his supporters describe as a master of asymmetric operations.

He now claims that Russia is preparing to attack NATO as early as 2027 to seize the Baltic countries and strike Poland.

But his prediction of Ukrainian troops entering Crimea in 2023 came to nothing, as the major Ukrainian counter-offensive failed and Russia now has the initiative on the front.

Target for Moscow

Ukrainians do not hold it against the man whom memes nickname "Buddhanov" because of his apparent composure.

Because he can also boast of a series of spectacular operations in Russia, such as strikes against oil refineries or the explosion that damaged the iconic Crimean Bridge, built by Russia, in 2022.

On Thursday, the GUR announced that it had staged the death of a Russian military leader fighting for Kyiv in order to identify Russian agents who had put a price on his head.

Budanov and his men were a prime target for the Kremlin. Since the start of the invasion, Russia has targeted the military intelligence headquarters in Kyiv at least twice, even claiming in May 2023 to have killed Mr. Budanov.

The general is also involved behind the scenes in negotiations with Moscow regarding a prisoner exchange. According to a source interviewed by AFP, he met with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi in November.

Recent polls place him as one of the two figures capable of unseating Volodymyr Zelensky in the event of a presidential election, along with former Ukrainian army commander Valery Zaluzhny.