The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, gave a great deal BBC News interview Ukraine, during which he warned of a "difficult period" at the front, new powerful missile attacks by the Russian Federation and commented on the murder of Russian pilot Kuzminov.
EliteExpert collected the key statements of the chief intelligence officer of Ukraine.
A "difficult period" awaits Ukraine as early as May
Budanov believes that due to certain actions of the Kremlin, very difficult times await Ukraine in all spheres in the near future, but the "end of the world" will not happen.
He believes that his forecasts do not give people vain hope, because they are real-time forecasts, if something comes back a little differently, then it makes "its own adjustments." According to the head of GUR, his predictions are based on facts, figures, documents and the like. Based on such data, he made a new forecast.
«In our opinion, a rather difficult situation awaits us in the near future. But it is not catastrophic, this must also be understood. Armageddon will not happen, as many are now beginning to say. But there will be problems from mid-May," — he noted.
The same applies to the situation at the front. The head of the GUR told what operation the occupiers are currently conducting.
"This is an integrated approach, because the Russians will use an integrated approach. They conduct a complex operation. We will not talk about it with you for a long time, but it will be a difficult period. Mid-May, early June," — summarized the head of GUR.
New details of the downing of the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber
Ukraine beat Russia last week the Tu-22M3 bomber that attacked Ukraine. Budanov said that a spy was involved in the operation. The operation was prepared for a long time. According to him, Ukrainian defenders shot down the plane when it crossed the border.
"I wouldn't like to reveal it all, to be honest. I can only say that the plane was struck from a distance 308 kilometers, far enough Let's put it this way, fruitful and long work makes itself felt. This is the same, as they say, technique and the same means that we used when we destroyed the A-50 aircraft in the air, — said Budanov.
The head of the GUR noted that this the first downing of a long-range aircraft in this war.
"And it is quite clear that Odessa will be a little easier now, because the Tu-22M3 planes used Kh-22 missiles, which probably caused the most destruction in the city. Because the rocket is very fast, powerful and especially no one could intercept it. This is still a Soviet development. But at the same time, the accuracy is not so great and a greater number of, let's say, civilian buildings were destroyed by these missiles.
Now, quite obviously, they will look for new boundaries, and in the direction of Odessa, in principle, there are no other boundaries. Only ground-based complexes for strikes on Odesa and missiles from long-range aviation and from the sea will be used. X-22, I hope, will not be seen again"
Will there be a repeat offensive of the Russian Federation on Kyiv?
Budanov reassured the people of Kyiv and emphasized that, as of now, the threat of a second attack by Putin's army on the capital is being observed.
According to him, the situation with the preparation of the Russians for a possible second attack on Kyiv has not changed.
"There is no reason to believe in the strategic loss of Ukraine".
Despite the difficulties at the front due to the delay of help from partners, there is currently no reason to believe in a strategic loss of Ukraine in the war against Russia, the head of intelligence assured.
"If you and I are talking about scenarios that are being developed, which may be - in any case, there are, let's say, positive for one side and negative for the other side. There is no reason to believe in Ukraine's strategic defeat. Yes, if we say that everything will go badly - well, it is quite clear that the result will also be bad. However, if there will be changes for the better - and there are still reasons to believe that this will happen," — stressed Budanov.
The head of the GUR warned about new missile attacks of the Russian Federation
According to the GUR forecasts, the terrorist country can still launch several serious missile strikes on Ukraine, but "it is not infinite."
"Look, for more than a year there has not been a single strike on the energy sector. Well, it is quite clear that in the presence of production, they accumulated a little of them. They especially accumulated the naval component of missiles, operational-tactical missile weapons. But so far it is not actively used," — he explained.
According to him, the Russians have "very seriously exhausted their reserves" of air missiles.
Budanov commented on the murder of the Russian pilot Kuzminov
The GUR admitted that it should not have been released from the supervision of the Russian pilot Maksym Kuzminov, who drove the Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine and who was later killed in Spain.
"Unfortunately, this is a classic psychological mistake of people. When people relax, they have money and they supposedly look after their security. But at the same time, the desire for fame darkens everyone's eyes. And they start saying "do you know who I am?", "but you're nobody, I'm just telling you." Similarly, then they start calling girls from the Russian Federation, whom they know from the past, telling them how much money they now have, how wonderful they live in Spain, and so on." he commented.
Budanov also admitted that "they also suffered a mistake."
"It was still necessary to take care of him, and not to believe that "I'm an adult, I know how to be" - he emphasized.
The chief intelligence officer spoke about the Kremlin's dangerous operation "Maidan-3"
Russia uses all possible factors to create social tension in Ukraine.
To the journalist's question whether the Maidan-3 operation is still relevant, he answered: "Yes, it continues and progresses. Unfortunately, she is advancing."
At the same time, he did not specify how exactly the operation is progressing.
"This is a matter that is already a state secret. Sorry, I can't say more than what has already been said. But I tell you once again: the Russians are working on it," - said the head of GUR.
According to Budanov, pro-Russian forces are still in Ukraine, but they do not clearly show their position.
"They clearly understand that purely pro-Russian forces will not be able to function now. Therefore, they camouflage it under various kinds of activities, under various issues of social tension. And it will not look, it should not look like some kind of pro-Russian position. No. Absolutely not", - he explained.
Budanov also added that "Russia uses all possible factors to create social tension."
Budanov commented on Russian fakes about his "liquidation"
Budanov commented on the Russian fakes about his "murder" with humor.
"No, they told me yesterday that they recently threw me away, that I was killed somewhere near Kharkiv Oblast. How can I react to this? My grandmother used to say to me: "When they keep saying that someone has died, that person will live a long time." Well, so it will be the same with me. The day before yesterday, they "killed" me again, as they say. And I am sitting in front of you now. I think you and I still reject the options that I am a hologram." he responded.
Anonymous Telegram channels are a problem for Ukraine
In his opinion, the messenger has acquired the status of a media, so it is necessary to settle this issue at least at the legislative level, so that it is clear "who is behind which channel".
"To put everything in order is to put it in order, at least by law to force everyone to register, so that it is clear who is behind which media resource, and Telegram has definitely acquired the status of a media. There is no question of influence or pressure - that is not the question. If you want to prove your position, and someone may not like it, that's normal in a democratic society: take responsibility. Why are you afraid to say who you are? explained the head of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
When asked if he uses Telegram, Budanov replied that he "looks sometimes."
"I have Telegram on one device, let's say, on a work device. And I watch it when certain events take place, mainly to see how Russian society perceives certain events. It's the only thing I use in messenger." - he said, and to a clarifying question whether spies can have Telegram or other social networks, Budanov said: "no, absolutely" and confirmed that it is prohibited.
"As a manager, I simply have access to all the world's media and resources. That's why I look around to see the results of some of our operations. Or high-profile events that, in our opinion, have or will have some kind of impact," — he added.
Budanov answered whether Zelenskyi as president is capable of leading Ukraine to victory
As you know, the term of office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi will be 5 years already this May. The head of the GUR told how he works under the leadership of this Supreme Commander.
In an interview with the BBC, the intelligence chief said that everything is fine and he has no regrets. He was also asked can the head of state lead Ukraine to victory.
"He has already been leading it for two and a half years. As you have said this saying more than once: Western experts, domestic experts said that everything is over now. But, as you can see, again, we are sitting across from each other, talking, and he is the president." Budanov remarked.
In one of the last statements Zelensky called on the West to defend Ukraine in the same way that the allies stood up for Israel during the Iranian attack. The head of the GUR called it a "great idea."
"Well, you have to understand all these aspects, take them into account. And, in addition, the state of Israel officially has the status of the main ally of the United States of America. Unfortunately, we cannot boast of this yet. Would I want that? I wish. And who is against someone else helping us defend ourselves? I don't think you know a person who would be against it." said the intelligence chief.
According to his assessment, the coming period will be difficult, but not catastrophic. Budanov recalled that since the beginning of the invasion of the Russian Federation, Ukraine has already gone through difficult periods several times. Budanov is convinced that it will happen this time too, "nothing extraordinary will happen."
"All their plans are known to us in advance. How to react to them? There is an answer to most of them. Yes, there are certain questions that will be difficult for us to crack, but we will find the answer. As always, we will come up with something at the last moment," — he emphasized.
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