New SVR Head Umerov Outlines Agency's Main Tasks

New Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Rustem Umerov called the development of international cooperation, implementation of the president's strategic initiatives, and enhancement of the agency's capabilities the main directions of his work.

Umerov stated this after his appointment as the head of the SVR. He thanked President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the trust placed in him.

According to Umerov, the Foreign Intelligence Service has the capacity to become an even more effective tool for protecting Ukraine's national interests.

One of the priorities will be further development of ties with foreign partners. Umerov noted Ukraine's cooperation with the United States, Great Britain, Norway, European Union countries, the Middle East, and the Persian Gulf, Türkiye, and South Caucasus states.

Accumulated international connections should become the basis for expanding interaction in security, intelligence, and defense.

Drone Deal and Freya Anti-Ballistic Program

As a separate area of work, Umerov named the implementation of the strategic initiatives of the President of Ukraine. In particular, this refers to the Drone Deal project and the Freya anti-ballistic program.

The new head of the SVR also intends to work on other international projects aimed at strengthening defense and security capabilities of Ukraine and its partners.

Umerov did not disclose in his statement the details of the implementation of the Drone Deal and the Freya program, including possible participants, timelines, and amounts of funding.

Enhancing Foreign Intelligence Capabilities

Another task will be providing the Foreign Intelligence Service with necessary resources and creating conditions for the most effective work of its employees.

Umerov stressed that the SVR team deserves additional opportunities to realize its potential.

“My task is to enhance its capabilities, to provide necessary resources and to create all the conditions for maximally effective work,” — he stated.

Umerov also thanked foreign intelligence officers for their service and expressed confidence that the agency can do more for the security of the state and Ukrainian citizens.

Based on materials from: Rustem Umerov