Tatarov strengthens influence on the power bloc, while Poklad builds vertical power structure in the SBU — sources

After the summer personnel reshuffles, deputy head of the Presidential Office Oleh Tatarov has intensified his influence on the Ministry of Internal Affairs, while acting SBU head Oleksandr Poklad has de facto centralized control over the Service.

This is stated in an article by "Ukrainska Pravda" with reference to interlocutors in political and law enforcement circles.

At the same time, some of the changes may be temporary, and the final distribution of powers within the power bloc will depend on presidential personnel decisions, votes in the Verkhovna Rada, and the planned reform of the State Bureau of Investigation.

How Tatarov strengthened his positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Following government reshuffles, Ivan Vyhovskyi moved from the position of head of the National Police to the post of Minister of Internal Affairs. Maksym Tsutskiridze began to temporarily perform the duties of the head of the National Police.

"Ukrainska Pravda" notes that over the years of his work in the law enforcement vertical, Vyhovskyi established close working relations with Tatarov. Tsutskiridze, according to the outlet, has long been acquainted with the deputy head of the Presidential Office: they grew up in the same city and studied at the Kharkiv University of Internal Affairs.

Sources of "Ukrainska Pravda" in law enforcement agencies claim that during his work in the leadership of the National Police, Tsutskiridze oriented himself directly to Tatarov on certain issues. Therefore, his transition to the position of temporary head of the police is seen as a strengthening of the deputy head of the Presidential Office's positions.

Official sources only confirm the personnel decisions: Vyhovskyi became the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Tsutskiridze became the temporary head of the National Police. The assertions about Tatarov's informal influence are based on information from the outlet's interlocutors.

A new struggle may begin for control over the SBI

Another body important to Tatarov remains the State Bureau of Investigation. The term of office of SBI Director Oleksii Sukhachov expires at the end of 2026, so 90 days prior, a competition for a new head must be announced.

Reforming the SBI is part of Ukraine's commitments to the EU. Among the requirements is the participation of international experts in the competition commission with the ability to significantly influence the selection result.

According to forecasts by "Ukrainska Pravda" sources, a struggle may unfold in the autumn over the future leadership of the Bureau. It is important for the Presidential Office to maintain the controllability of the SBI, but Ukraine's international commitments will limit the possibility of a purely political appointment.

Dual power has ended in the SBU

After the resignation of Vasyl Maliuk, the leadership of the SBU was essentially divided between Yevhen Khmara and Oleksandr Poklad. Khmara was mainly responsible for combat operations, while Poklad controlled the operational units.

On 17 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi appointed Poklad as acting head of the SBU. Khmara was previously dismissed from the temporary leadership of the Service and transferred to the Ministry of Defense.

After that, Poklad de facto gained the ability to unilaterally shape the management vertical of the SBU. In less than a month, large-scale personnel changes took place in the Service's regional directorates, and units in eight oblasts and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea received new heads.

Interlocutors of "Ukrainska Pravda" also report close working coordination between Poklad and the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Oleh Ivashchenko. According to them, the influence of people associated with former intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov is gradually decreasing in the Main Intelligence Directorate.

There are not yet enough votes to appoint Poklad

Despite the consolidation of Poklad’s positions, his full-fledged appointment as head of the SBU remains in question. For this, the president must submit the relevant nomination, and the Verkhovna Rada must support it with at least 226 votes.

According to "Ukrainska Pravda", the necessary support in parliament is currently lacking. Some deputies consider Poklad's candidacy "unpassable", so he may continue to lead the Service as acting head.

The outlet concludes that after the personnel reshuffles, the president continues to bet on loyal heads of law enforcement agencies. At the same time, interlocutors of "Ukrainska Pravda" warn that excessive dependence of the law enforcement system on the Presidential Office could weaken the ability of law enforcement officials to object to politically risky decisions.