The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, General Kyrylo Budanov, promises “a significant battle in the recent history of the country”, referring to the inevitable Ukrainian counteroffensive in the war launched by Russia on February 24, 2022, the BBC and Pravda report.

He stated this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, answering a question about the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces.

• “We are approaching a landmark battle for the modern history of Ukraine. This is a fact, everyone knows it.
• When it will start is a mystery. But everyone understands that we are getting closer to it,” said the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.

Asked whether the pace of Western military supplies might have forced him to revise his forecast, Budanov said he had no reason to: “Whether people like it or not, we are approaching a key battle in the modern history of Ukraine.”

He believes that Ukraine’s allies will not reduce the pace of military aid: “Yes, we count on the aid we receive. But if the country decides to slow down deliveries, we will look for options. But overall, I don’t think it will happen.”

What does the head of military intelligence of Ukraine say about the risk of a nuclear attack by Russia

Kyrylo Budanov does not believe that Russia will launch a nuclear attack when Ukrainian troops enter occupied Crimea. “There will be no (no Russian nuclear attack),” he said in response to a question.

In his opinion, Russian propaganda will highlight the loss of Crimea as a “coercive measure”, as in the case of the liberation of Kherson.

• “It is painful to admit, but it must be said: during the loss of Kherson, their propaganda machine showed itself as effectively as possible. The loss of Kherson – the greatest achievement of the so-called “special forces operation” – was shown simply as a commonplace. Moreover, they turned things around so that it was actually good for them.
• That’s it, they have already decided everything. We are well aware of the ways in which events in Crimea are covered in the news. Trust me, they will work for their society.”

Commenting on Russian television broadcasts of Vladimir Putin’s visits to the occupied territories of Ukraine, Budanov suggested that it was not the president of the Russian Federation who was there, but his double.