The U.S. State Department has dismissed roughly 1,350 employees, including several senior analysts in its Bureau of Intelligence and Research who specialised in Russia and Ukraine, according to current and former officials cited by the New York Times. The downsizing was carried out on 13 July and follows earlier workforce and budget reductions ordered by President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the cuts are part of a broader effort to reorganise the department "to be more efficient and more focused." While the exact number of Russia- and Ukraine-focused analysts let go was not disclosed, officials told the newspaper that the bureau still retains some expertise in those areas. Former INR director Ellen McCarthy called the decision "shortsighted," arguing it weakens a critical source of intelligence at a time when Russia’s war against Ukraine has entered its fourth year. Critics also noted that previous funding reductions have already curtailed U.S. programmes supporting Kyiv, including efforts to track Russian war crimes and to provide foreign aid through USAID.