On September 17, former MP and now blogger Boryslav Bereza reported on Facebook that Budanov is allegedly set to be dismissed and may be transferred to the position of deputy to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
On September 29, NV also reported on the possible dismissal of Budanov, citing a source within the security services. On November 25, NV published another article referencing a source in Ukraine's security and defense sector. An unnamed informant indicated to the publication that this personnel change is allegedly being lobbied by the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, and that a "more loyal to the authorities individual" has supposedly already been found to replace Budanov.
According to Budanov, he maintains a "normal working format" of relations with the President's Office and briefs President Volodymyr Zelensky almost daily on the situation.
"Another leak, and certainly not the first. [...] Unfortunately, these narratives have spread in the Ukrainian information space at a certain point, heavily circulated by Russian propaganda. But this is not surprising – the dissemination of rumors and disinformation is something they do both to destabilize the country and to destabilize the team," Budanov explained.
He noted that there are many tasks ahead for the GUR, especially during wartime, and that any threats from the Russian regime are hypothetically real.