Malyuk, Budanov, Madyar and Biletsky: four faces and four facets of Ukraine at war. As department heads, behind-the-scenes strategists or elite commanders, they are shaping a new Ukrainian army and, for many, already preparing for the post-war period, when the country's destiny will then be decided at the ballot box.
Ukraine's strongmen in war (1/4) - In a country under siege, Vasyl Malyuk runs the SBU like a parallel army. With no political ambitions and loyal to Volodymyr Zelensky, the head of Ukrainian counter-espionage protects the heart of power from internal enemies and strikes deep into Russia.
Ukraine's strongmen in war (2/4) – As the head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov is in charge of Kyiv's invisible war. Master of drones and clandestine operations, he has turned the GUR into a state within the state, professing loyalty to President Zelensky while harbouring his own ambitions.
Zelensky's strongmen in war (3/4) – From cigarette smuggling to AI warfare, the meteoric rise of Ukraine's top air baron, master of Europe's first drone air force.
Ukraine's strongmen in war (4/4) – At the head of Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps, Andriy Biletsky exerts his power through alliances with oligarchs, technological partnerships and propaganda. His denunciation of corrupt elites worries the presidency, which sees him as a rival in uniform with close ties to the far right.
