Ukraine’s leadership is mired in escalating internal power struggles just as the war with Russia enters its fourth year, according to a detailed investigation published by The Economist on 6 July. The magazine says decision-making in Kyiv has become increasingly centralised around Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s influential chief of staff, raising concerns that a narrow circle of advisers is making high-stakes choices in isolation from broader government institutions. The report highlights what it describes as Yermak’s ninth attempt to remove Kyrylo Budanov, the widely respected head of military intelligence. U.S. officials have repeatedly cautioned the Presidential Office against dismissing Budanov, a factor The Economist says has so far preserved his post. Yermak is also portrayed as orchestrating a pending cabinet overhaul that could elevate Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to prime minister, further tightening his grip on the administration. Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshev faces a corruption investigation linked to a housing project approved during his tenure as regional development minister. The Economist cites government sources who believe the probe may serve Yermak’s interests by sidelining a potential rival and clearing the way for personnel loyal to him. Analysts interviewed by the magazine warn that such infighting risks weakening Ukraine’s institutional resilience at a moment when Russian forces are stepping up drone and missile attacks and U.S. military aid has been suspended since 1 July. Concentrated power, they argue, could leave Kyiv less able to adapt to battlefield reverses and diplomatic shifts, underscoring the strategic stakes of the political turmoil.