Zelensky names spy chief to head presidential office after corruption row

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff, just over a month after his previous top aide resigned amid a corruption row.

"At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues," Zelensky said in a post on social media, publishing a photo of his meeting with Budanov in Kyiv.

Budanov, 39, has until now led the Hur military intelligence, which has claimed a number of highly-effective strikes against Russia, reports BBC.

Zelensky also said he intended to replace his defence minister Denys Shmyhal, appointing his current minister of digital transformation Mykhaylo Fedorov to take up the post.