The Office of the President of Ukraine has undergone significant personnel changes following the appointment of Kyrylo Budanov as its new head. A recent inquiry by the civic organization “Rukh Chesno” has revealed an updated list of advisors and representatives, shedding light on the current structure of the presidential team.
According to the findings, the president’s immediate team now consists of 15 members, including one full-time advisor, six part-time advisors, five authorized advisors, and three representatives in various state bodies. This restructuring indicates a shift in the advisory landscape, particularly among part-time advisors.
Notably, the number of part-time advisors has increased from three in 2024 to six currently. The new additions include Oleksandr Kamyshin, who focuses on strategic issues; Oksana Markarova, responsible for reconstruction and investment; Oleksandr Kubrakov, who oversees infrastructure and community relations; and Chrystia Freeland, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, who now advises on economic development. However, the previous part-time advisor, Andrew Mack, has been removed from the list following his dismissal on January 20, 2026.
Rukh Chesno emphasized that former government officials Kamyshin, Markarova, and Kubrakov, who had informally retained advisory roles after their resignations, continue to exert influence on state policy outside the formal government structure and parliamentary oversight.
Additionally, the organization highlighted the career advancement of Dmytro Lytvyn, who transitioned from a part-time advisor under Andrii Yermak to a full-time communications advisor to the president, making him the only full-time advisor currently listed.
Budanov’s team also includes at least 12 members, comprising eight deputy heads of the Office, two full-time advisors, presidential press secretary Serhii Nykyforov, and chief of staff Mariia Vitushok. This marks a notable shift from the previous administration, as Budanov’s team does not include part-time advisors, and the number of female advisors has decreased from four to two, with Vitalii Melnyk and Iryna Trofymchuk now serving in those roles. Information about these two advisors is notably absent from public sources.
Furthermore, Budanov has appointed a new first deputy, Serhii Kyslytsia, a former first deputy foreign minister. Other existing deputies, including Iryna Mudra, Ihor Zhovkva, Olena Koval’ska, and Oleg Tatarov, have retained their positions. However, the controversial Rostyslav Shurma is no longer listed among the deputies.
Despite the apparent overhaul of personnel, Rukh Chesno cautioned against viewing these changes as a systemic reset of the advisory institution. They argued that the advisory body continues to function as a “grey zone” of power, where decisions are made without clear accountability. This structural issue remains unresolved, even following the leadership change at the Office of the President.
The restructuring of Ukraine's presidential team under Kyrylo Budanov has introduced new advisors while retaining some influential figures. Despite these changes, concerns persist regarding the lack of accountability within the advisory system.