The factional war within Ukraine’s political, military, and security elites is intensifying. And it is increasingly unfolding in public, albeit still underreported in mainstream Western media. The latest development has to do with former commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny, who has accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of ordering SBU searches of his office in 2022 as a means of intimidation. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) denies it. In any case, if true, why reveal this now? The timing is anything but accidental.

Zaluzhny’s accusation surfaces precisely as discussions around elections, a possible ceasefire, and even a “land for peace” formula re-enter Western and Ukrainian debates. This is thus not a belated accusation driven by conscience, but more likely a political move in a struggle over succession, immunity, and narrative control. One does not survive Ukrainian elite politics by speaking out unless protection or leverage have already been secured.

This struggle is not limited to Zelensky versus Zaluzhny. It also involves the intelligence faction centered on lieutenant general Kyrylo Budanov, whose growing influence has alarmed both military commanders and oligarchic networks. Budanov has been Ukraine’s Head of the Office of the President since January 2, 2026, having previously led the country’s military intelligence (HUR). He also served in the Foreign Intelligence Service. Ukraine’s so-called “deep state” is a battlefield right now.

One may recall that frictions between Zelensky and........

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