Main Directorate of Intelligence (Ukraine)

History

The agency was established from the existing intelligence assets of the Kyiv, Odesa and Carpathian military districts of the Soviet Armed Forces and its Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the independence of Ukraine.

The Intelligence Directorate of the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was established in February 1992. Based on a presidential decree issued on September 7, 1992, the Strategic Military Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence was created. The existence of two separate agencies with similar responsibilities, and reporting to different authorities, hampered the development of an effective military intelligence system.

On July 6, 1993, the Decree of the President of Ukraine ordered the merging of the two agencies to form the Main Military Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence. It was renamed the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, or Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) for short, on April 4, 1994.

On March 22, 2001, the Ukrainian parliament (Rada) ratified the Law of Ukraine "On Intelligence Agencies of Ukraine". The HUR was given the status of special government authority.

On August 18, 2021, HUR special forces moved on Il-76MDs from the 25th Transport Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force and flew to Kabul with the mission of evacuating citizens of Ukraine and foreigners during the 2021 Kabul airlift. In total, the aircraft of the brigade made six flights and transported more than 700 citizens of different countries. Special forces went to Kabul three times a day to find and bring citizens who were to be evacuated to the Kabul airport.

On September 20, 2023, CNN reported that Ukrainian special forces were likely behind multiple attacks on Wagner-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) forces in Sudan, using DJI Mavic 3 and first-person view (FPV) drones. In May 2023, HUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov vowed to "destroy Russian war criminals anywhere in the world, wherever they are." In March 2024, reports confirmed that HUR operators from the "Timur" unit were actively fighting Wagner and RSF in Sudan.

On January 30, 2024, the DIU received a Snatch Land Rover SUV for its personnel from volunteers of the British-Ukrainian society "Driving Ukraine".

On 2 May 2025, a Ukrainian HUR MAGURA V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Su-30 using a R-73 missile, 50 km west of Novorossiysk. The crew of two ended up in the Black Sea, where a civilian ship later recovered them. HUR claimed it was the first time a maritime drone shot down an aircraft.

Emblem

In 2016, the HUR emblem was changed to an illustration of an owl plunging a sword into Russia. The owl has been said to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the emblem of the Spetsnaz special forces of the Russian GRU, which depicts a bat - a natural prey of the owl. In addition, the motto "The wise will rule over the stars" () ostensibly alludes to the GRU's motto "Only the stars are above us" (). The new emblem was met with outrage from Russian journalists and politicians, including Dmitry Rogozin, and with some calling it a provocation.

Spheres of activity

The Main Directorate of Intelligence conducts its activity in the military, political, technical, economic, signals, informational and environmental spheres.

The major missions of the directorate are:

• Extracting, analyzing, processing and disseminating information in accordance with the law "On Intelligence"
• Conducting measures aimed at promoting the realization of the national interests of Ukraine
• Identifying external threats to the national security of Ukraine, and conducting measures against such threats
• Participating in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities that pose a threat to the national security of Ukraine
• Cooperating with foreign intelligence bodies
• Carrying out other activities defined by law to ensure the national security of Ukraine

Organization

The HUR has an executive office and several agency-wide functions, and five major directorates and departments consisting of the following:

Directorates:

• Strategic Intelligence Directorate
• Armed Forces General Staff Intelligence Support Directorate
• Information Support Directorate
• Personnel Policy Directorate
• Logistic Directorate

Departments:

• Internal Security Department
• Planning Department
• Automation and Communication Department
• Economic and Finance Department
• Information and state secret protection Department

Combat formations

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the only field reconnaissance unit of the HUR was a special unit subordinated to the Directorate's 4th Special Intelligence Service (4-та Служба спеціальної розвідки):

• [[File:10 ОЗСпП.png|21x21px]] 10th Separate Special Purpose Unit (10-й окремий загін спеціального призначення, A2245), based in Rybalskyi Peninsula, Kyiv
  • Battalion HHC
  • 3 operational companies – 1st – 3rd Special Purpose Company (1 – 3 сотня спеціального призначення)

As of 2024, the units subordinate to the HUR include:

Reconnaissance units subordinated to Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU):

• [[File:23ОСБ.png|22px]] 23rd Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:49 ОНРБ.png|21x21px]]
• [[File:52nd Reconnaissance Battalion.webp|23x23px]] 52nd Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:53rd Reconnaissance Battalion.webp|23x23px]] 53rd Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:54th Recon Battalion.webp|23x23px]] 54th Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:74th Recon Battalion.webp|23x23px]] 74th Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:Flamberge-shevron.jpg|27x27px]] 120th Reconnaissance Regiment
• [[File:129-й розвідувальний батальйон.png|29x29px]] 129th Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:130th Recon Battalion.webp|23x23px]] 130th Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:131st Recon Battalion.webp|23x23px]] 131st Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:132 ОРБ к.svg|25x25px]] 132nd Air Assault Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:140th Separate Recon Battalion.png|24x24px]] 140th Marine Reconnaissance Battalion
• 143rd Reconnaissance Battalion
• [[File:150th Reconnaissance Strike Battalion.png|25x25px]] 150th Reconnaissance Strike Battalion
• [[File:151st Reconnaissance Strike Battalion.png|23x23px]] 151st Reconnaissance Strike Battalion
• [[File:152nd Reconnaissance Strike Battalion.webp|23x23px]] 152nd Reconnaissance Battalion

Spetsnaz units under AFU operational control:

• [[File:Batshaman.png|22px]] Shaman Battalion
• [[File:Kraken Special Unit Insignia.png|22px]] Special Purpose Unit "Kraken"
• [[File:ArtanHURMO.png|22px]] Artan Unit
  • [[File:Тактична група РЕВАНШ лого.png|22px]] Revanche Tactical Group
• Special Purpose Unit "Timur"
  • [[File:2nd Special Purpose Detachment.webp|22px]] 2nd Special Operations Detachment
  • [[File:6th Special Purpose Detachment.webp|22px]] 6th Special Operations Detachment
  • [[File:Емблема добровольчої сотні Ісуса Христа партії «Братство» Дмитра Корчинського у батальйоні «Азов».jpg|27x27px]] Bratstvo Battalion
  • [[File:NOBODY.svg|22px]] NOBODY Battalion
  • [[File:Stugna Battalion Logo.jpg|22x22px]] Stuhna Battalion
  • [[File:Chimera Unit.webp|22px]] Chimera Unit
  • [[File:Specpidrozdil aratta.webp|22px]] Special Purpose "Aratta" Battalion (formerly the 8th Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army)
  • [[File:BLACK WINTER GROUP.webp|22px]] Black Winter Group
  • [[File:Paragon Company.webp|22px]] "Paragon Company" Detachment
  • [[File:Sonechko battalion.webp|22px]] Volunteer Reconnaissance Battalion "Sonechko"
  • [[File:Vidar Unit.webp|22px]] Special Purpose Unit "Vidar"
• Kabul 9 flag.png Kabul 9
• [[File:HUR aviation.webp|22px]] Defense Intelligence Aviation
  • [[File:СПЕЦПІДРОЗДІЛ КРИЛА.svg|22x22px]] Special Purpose UAV Unit "Wings"
• [[File:Group 13.webp|22px]] Special Purpose USV Unit "Group 13"
• [[File:LegionDIU.webp|22px]] International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine is a specialized unit part of the International Legion and HUR MO, comprising primarily ex-military volunteers from over 50 countries. They have participated in key battles across Ukraine, notably Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sievierodonetsk and Bakhmut. The DIU Legion operates with significant autonomy and relies heavily on self-funding for mission essential equipment.
  • Tactical Group "Athena"
  • Ronin Team sniper and reconnaissance company.

Legal basis

The Main Directorate of Intelligence is legally allowed to operate based upon the following documents:

• The Constitution of Ukraine
• Law of Ukraine "On the National Security of Ukraine", 1991
• Law of Ukraine "On the Defense of Ukraine", 2018
• Law of Ukraine "On Intelligence", 2020
• Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service", 1992
• Law of Ukraine "On Central Bodies of Executive Power", 2011
• Law of Ukraine "On Civil Service", 2015
• Law of Ukraine "On International Treaties of Ukraine", 2004
• Law of Ukraine "On the Fight Against Terrorism", 2003
• Law of Ukraine "On Counter-Intelligence Activities", 2002
• Law of Ukraine "On Operational and Investigative Activities", 1992
• Law of Ukraine "On State Secrets", 1994
• Law of Ukraine "On the Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen and Their Families", 1991
• Presidential Decree "On the National Security Strategy of Ukraine", 2020
• Presidential Decree "On the Military Security Strategy of Ukraine", 2021
• Presidential Decree "On Additional Measures to Further Democratize Society and Strengthen Civil Control Over the Activities of Law Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies of Ukraine", 2004
• Presidential Decree "On Ensuring Control over the Activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Other Military Formations", 2010
• Presidential Decree "On Strengthening Control over the Activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Other Military Formations", 2015
• Presidential Decree "On the Inter-Agency Commission on the Policy of Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control", 2007
• Presidential Decree "On Certain Issues of Leadership in the Spheres of National Security and Defense", 2008
• Presidential Decree "On the Regulation of Military Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine by Citizens of Ukraine", 2008

Directors

• Lieutenant General Oleksandr Skipalskyi (October 16, 1992 – June 9, 1997) :Born in Volyn Oblast 1945. Graduated from the KGB Higher School in 1975.
• Colonel General Ihor Smeshko (June 9, 1997 – September 29, 2000) :Born in Cherkasy Oblast 1955. Graduated from PhD from the National Academy of Defence in 2000.
• Colonel General Viktor Paliy (September 29, 2000 – March 13, 2003) :Born in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast 1949. Graduated from the Military Academy of General Staff of USSR Armed Forces in 1988.
• Colonel (ret.) Oleksandr Halaka (March 13, 2003 – January 17, 2008) :Born in Kharkiv 1955. Graduated from the Military Academy of Ground Forces Air-Defence in 1987 and the Kyiv University in 2000.
• Lieutenant General Viktor Hvozd (January 17, 2008 – August 17, 2010) :Born in Ternopil Oblast 1959. Graduated from the Frunze Military College (Kyiv, 1981), Lviv University (1997), Magistrate of Kyiv University of Law and Economics (2005), Military-Diplomatic Academy (2009).
• Major General Serhiy Hmyza (August 17, 2010 – February 26, 2014) :Born in Odesa Oblast 1960. Graduated Military College in 1981, the Military-Diplomatic Academy in 1991, Ukrainian State University in 2008.
• Major General Yuriy Pavlov (since March 3, 2014 – July 28, 2015) :Born in Lviv Oblast 1962.
• Lieutenant General Valeriy Kondratyuk (July 28, 2015 – October 15, 2016) : Born in Taraz, Kazakhstan
• Major General Vasyl Burba (since October 15, 2016 – August 5, 2020) :Born in Rivne Oblast 1978.
• Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov (since August 5, 2020) – January 2, 2026) :Born in Kyiv 1986.
• Lieutenant General Oleh Ivashchenko (since January 2, 2026) :Born in 1969

Notable members

• Maksym Shapoval
• Andriy Yusov, the head of public relations

Notes

References

References

1. (2016-10-30). "Нова емблема воєнної розвідки України - Політика - ТСН.ua".
2. "History of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine".
3. (2021-09-06). "Ukrainian intelligence or how the wise is ruling the stars". Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center.
4. (2021-09-02). "Війна в Афганістані - українські спецпризначенці евакуювали 700 осіб - інтерв'ю з учасником операції".
5. (2023-09-19). "Exclusive: Ukraine's special services 'likely' behind strikes on Wagner-backed forces in Sudan, a Ukrainian military source says". CNN.
6. Zakharchenko, Kateryna. (2024-02-05). "EXCLUSIVE: Ukrainian Special Forces Interrogate Wagner Mercenaries in Sudan".
7. (6 March 2024). "Ukraine Is Now Fighting Russia in Sudan". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
8. (2024-03-21). "DOCUMENT LCI - L'Ukraine combat la Russie en Afrique : les dessous d'une opération longtemps secrète".
9. "British volunteers handed over an armored Land Rover to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine".
10. OLEKSANDRA BASHCHENKO. (2025-05-03). "Ukrainian intelligence destroys Russian Su-30 with Magura sea drone in first of its kind strike (video)".
11. Roman Pryhodko. (2025-05-03). "$50M Russian Su-30 in Black Sea".
12. Boyko Nikolov. (2025-05-03). "Ukrainian sea drone downs $50M Russian Su-30 in Black Sea".
13. (2021-10-20). "13 Awesome Facts About Bats {{!}} U.S. Department of the Interior".
14. (2016-10-30). "У Росії раптово почалася істерія через емблему воєнної розвідки України".
15. "Що ми робимо".
16. "Про розвідку".
17. "49 навчальний центр розвідки".
18. "54 окремий розвідувальний батальйон".
19. "74 окремий розвідувальний батальйон".
20. (2022-09-03). "Воїни ЗСУ завершують навчання з БПЛА Poseidon H10 i H6: на що здатні кіпрські "пташки"".
21. "130 окремий розвідувальний батальйон".
22. "131 окремий розвідувальний батальйон".
23. "Міністерство оборони вирішило переселити розвідбат десантників з Озерного в Житомир".
24. (22 December 2020). "Вірні завжди". Main Directorate of Intelligence.
25. Hulevata, Tetyana. (27 June 2022). "Український спецназ працює на території росії: що дізналися західні ЗМІ". Telegraf.
26. Tucker, Maxim. (26 June 2022). "'Shaman' special forces take the fight across the border into Russia". [[The Times]].
27. Kunkle, Fredrick. (3 June 2022). "Ukraine's volunteer 'Kraken' unit takes the fight to the Russians". [[The Washington Post]].
28. Kasumova, Roksana. (30 August 2023). "Defence Intelligence special unit commander reveals details of operations on the Black Sea". [[Ukrainska Pravda]].
29. Albul, Sergiy. (4 July 2024). "Сили оборони відійшли із мікрорайону "Канал" у Часовому Яру, – ОСУВ "Хортиця" (фото)". Left Bank.
30. Kravets, Roman. (13 February 2024). "Керівник спецпідрозділу ГУР Тимур: Коли Буданов виходить з нами на операції – це стрес, бо завжди великі ризики". [[Ukrainska Pravda]].
31. [https://armyinform.com.ua/2024/09/15/rejd-bilya-uzberezhzhya-krymu-ta-znyshhennya-rosijskogo-su-30sm-kadry-bojovoyi-roboty-gur/ Рейд біля узбережжя Криму та знищення російського Су-30СМ: кадри бойової роботи ГУР]
32. (7 March 2024). "Пам'яті воїнів-розвідників Непийпива, Святоші, Аполлона й Тарасія". Main Directorate of Intelligence.
33. [https://gur.gov.ua/content/zahin-nobody-we-are-u-skladi-spetspidrozdilu-tymura-hur-mo-ukrainy-xfpbsjycmw8.html Загін nobody_we_are у складі спецпідрозділу Тимура ГУР МО України]
34. "Тренування воїнів групи "Nobody" у складі підрозділу Тимура ГУР МО України".
35. (4 October 2023). "Крим буде українським!". Main Directorate of Intelligence.
36. ""Кажется, будто падает сам самолет": в ГУР показали кадры боев за Авдеевку и обстрелов города КАБами".
37. "Переобладнання пікапу в мобільну майстерню для 8-го окремого батальйону АРАТТА спецпідрозділ ГУР МО".
38. [https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cwypl0yvyqqo "Ми дихаємо в спину Росії скрізь". Інтерв'ю з командиром досі секретного підрозділу ГУР]
39. (2024-02-02). "Як працює спецзагін Буданова PARAGON?".
40. (18 December 2023). "Тренування розвідників-штурмовиків". Main Directorate of Intelligence.
41. (11 July 2023). "Побратими називали його незамінним воїном: на війні загинув 23-річний доброволець з Закарпаття".
42. "Закарпатець Руслан Каганець повідомив про створення спецпідрозділу "Відар" ГУР МО".
43. (9 January 2024). ""Погляньте, як знищують ворога ці термінатори!": ГУР показало відео роботи спецпідрозділу".
44. [https://gur.gov.ua/content/aviatsiia-voiennoi-rozvidky-ukrainy-vykonuie-boiovi-zavdannia-na-perednomu-krai-oborony.html Авіація воєнної розвідки України виконує бойові завдання на передньому краї оборони]
45. (20 January 2023). "Спецпідрозділ "Крила" запускає проект створення флотилії FPV дронів". Main Directorate of Intelligence.
46. "Group 13 Is Hunters for russian Ships".
47. Ataman, Joseph. (2024-02-05). "A Ukrainian pilot outlines how drones powered by jet skis sunk a Russian warship". CNN.
48. "International Legion".
49. "Ronin Team".
50. "Tactical Group Athena".
51. "Нормативно-правова база діяльності".
52. "Poroshenko appointed head of intelligence of the MOU Kondratyuk, Deputy head of the AP".
53. [http://www.unian.info/society/1588351-president-presents-new-chief-of-military-intel.html President presents new chief of military intel], [[UNIAN]] (25 October 2016)
    [http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/378813.html Poroshenko: New intel chief to give fresh impetus to military intelligence in Ukraine], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (25 October 2016)