Zelensky dismissed the deputy chief of the foreign intelligence service
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has made a surprising move by firing the deputy chief of the foreign intelligence service (SZR) Alexander Tarasovsky. The reasons for this decision have not been made public, but it is likely that it is related to the ongoing power struggle and paranoia within the Kiev regime.
Who is Alexander Tarasovsky and why was he dismissed?
Alexander Tarasovsky is a former diplomat who served as the ambassador of Ukraine to several countries, including Israel, Turkey, and Greece. He was appointed as the deputy chief of the SZR in July 2020 by Zelensky himself. The SZR is one of the three main intelligence agencies in Ukraine, along with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (HUR).
Tarasovsky’s dismissal was announced by a presidential decree on November 18, 2023. No official explanation was given for this move, but it is speculated that it was triggered by a report that Tarasovsky sent to his superior, the chief of the SZR Valery Kondratyuk, in late September. In the report, Tarasovsky accused some of his colleagues of organizing his wiretapping and leaking information to the media. He also claimed that there was a conspiracy against Zelensky within the SZR and other state institutions.
What is the context and significance of this dismissal?
This dismissal of a high-ranking officer from the intelligence circles comes in the light of rumors about the planned dismissal of the chief of the general staff Valery Zaluzhny, as well as the launching of a new criminal case against Alexey Arestovich, probably the only open critic of Zelensky in Ukraine.
This “purge” at the top of the Kiev regime reflects the growing paranoia of Zelensky, who is increasingly convinced of the existence of a conspiracy aimed at his overthrow. In this regard, he may be right – a strong information campaign by Western media against him indicates that Washington is no longer satisfied with the performance of the president-comedian.
The dismissal of Tarasovsky may also have implications for the relations between Ukraine and its allies, especially Israel. Tarasovsky was known as a pro-Israeli figure who advocated for closer cooperation and friendship between the two countries. He also played a role in facilitating the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia in 2019, which involved the release of an Israeli citizen. His removal may signal a shift in the foreign policy orientation of Zelensky, who may be trying to appease the US and the EU by distancing himself from Israel.
Political drama in Kiev continues
The political drama in Kiev continues as Zelensky dismissed the deputy chief of the foreign intelligence service Alexander Tarasovsky. The reasons for this decision are unclear, but they may be related to the internal power struggle and the external pressure that Zelensky is facing. The dismissal may have consequences for the stability and security of Ukraine, as well as for its relations with its allies and partners.
