President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Friday evening during an address to his compatriots announced that he had a meeting of the military cabinet, which includes the main military commanders, including the head of military intelligence, General Kyrylo Budanov, whom Russian propaganda calls seriously wounded and will be treated in Germany, reports News.ro.

Zelensky said that he could not yet reveal many details about the military council, in which Budanov also participated, but hinted that it was about actions as part of a counteroffensive.

“Today there was one more event, one more item in my schedule that has not yet been announced. It is about the military cabinet. Our commanders are generals Sirsky, Tarnavsky, Zaluyny and Shaptala. Plus our commanders from specific areas of active actions – I am not naming names yet, everything will come in due time.

Moving forward is the most important thing. Every soldier of ours, every new step we take, every meter of Ukrainian land freed from the enemy is the most important thing. And Budanov was there too… Separate steps,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said before thanking everyone who fights for Ukraine, those who prepare to fight, and those who help.

The president was undoubtedly referring to the counteroffensive, which analysts say is still in its infancy, with the bulk of Ukrainian forces yet to be thrown into battle.

The mention of the head of army intelligence, Kirill Budanov, is not accidental. Considered one of the properties of Ukraine, who at the age of 37 has already gained the reputation of a hero, he is considered by Moscow as a real “black crow” and has been the subject of several assassination attempts.

In recent days, Russian propaganda has reported that Budanov was seriously injured in a Russian attack and is in critical condition in Germany. Previously, there were rumors about General Valery Zaluzhnyi, the Chief of the General Staff mentioned by Zelensky, that he had died.

Zelensky’s speech on Friday evening was shorter than usual. He told Ukrainians that he had a long day with a lot of events. First of all, he mentioned the meeting with African leaders who arrived in Kyiv:

“The meeting is in a special format – Ukraine plus African countries. Long discussions… Peace formula, issues of security, grain, our joint ability to defend the principles and goals of the UN Charter, to protect states from aggression. We have called on African leaders and states to participate in the Global Peace Summit that we are preparing. Ukraine will be heard all over the world and we will involve the whole world in the implementation of the peace formula. It is not easy, but we are working,” said Zelensky.

Given the fact that during the visit of African leaders to Kyiv, Russian missiles were allegedly launched and shot down by the Ukrainian defense, Zelensky noted that he is especially grateful to those who protect the Ukrainian sky.

“The Russian missiles shot down today, including six ballistic ones, are very important and symbolic. Russia will not intimidate anyone,” the Ukrainian leader emphasized.