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GUR
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OrganisationUA

GUR

Ukraine's military intelligence directorate, under the Defence Ministry; runs covert operations as well as intelligence.

Last refreshed: 13 September 2026 · Appears in 2 active topics

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Background

The Main Directorate of Intelligence, known as the GUR, or HUR in Ukrainian transliteration, is the military intelligence service of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence. It was founded on 7 September 1992 and is based on the Rybalskyi Peninsula in Kyiv. It answers to the Defence Ministry rather than the general staff, which separates it from the SBU, Ukraine's domestic security service, and from the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, a distinct civilian agency. It is not Russia's GRU, whose acronym and remit invite the confusion.

The GUR does more than gather intelligence. It fields reconnaissance battalions, Special Forces including the Kraken and Shaman units, aviation and maritime drone Teams, and it runs operations behind Russian lines. Lieutenant General Oleh Ivashchenko has headed it since 2 January 2026, taking over from Kyrylo Budanov, who had held the post since 5 August 2020 and moved to lead the Office of the President.

Common Questions
What is the GUR in Ukraine?
The Main Directorate of Intelligence, Ukraine's military intelligence service. It sits under the Ministry of Defence, was founded in September 1992, and carries out special operations as well as intelligence gathering.
What is the difference between the GUR and the SBU?
The GUR is military intelligence under the Defence Ministry, working abroad and behind Russian lines. The SBU is Ukraine's domestic security service. The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine is a third, civilian agency.
Is the Ukrainian GUR the same as the Russian GRU?
No. They are separate services on opposite sides of the war. The GUR is Ukraine's military intelligence directorate; the GRU is Russia's. The similar acronyms both come from the same Soviet-era naming convention.
Who runs Ukraine's military intelligence now?
Lieutenant General Oleh Ivashchenko has been chief of the GUR since 2 January 2026. He replaced Kyrylo Budanov, who had led it since August 2020 and moved to head the Office of the President.
Source Material
Defence Intelligence of UkraineMain Directorate of Intelligence (Ukraine)

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 13 September 2026. Editorial standards.