​In a video interview with the HotNews.ro team in Kyiv, the head of military intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov told how he cooperates with the special services of NATO countries, including the Romanian ones, and what information he provides. receives from allies, why he believes that Russia will not use nuclear weapons, and how he supports his claims that Putin has cancer.

I met Kirill Budanov the other day in Kyiv, in his office in the military unit on the banks of the Dnieper. While we were waiting for a trusted officer to pick us up in a car from the institution’s gate, sirens began to sound in the city.

This was the second air raid alert of the day, so nothing out of the ordinary. However, it was impossible not to think that we will see a military man who became the object of several attacks planned by the people of Russia.

At 37, Budanov is one of the youngest generals in the Ukrainian army. According to a Washington Post article, its growth accelerated after August 2016, when suspected Ukrainian saboteurs in Crimea killed a senior officer of Russia’s Federal Security Service.

Budanov was one of the Ukrainian special forces operating behind enemy lines. He never confirmed his participation in the operation, but he did not deny it either.

A year later, the young officer received the “Order of Courage” for operations that remained undisclosed, and in 2020, at the age of 34, Budanov headed the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.

In 2019, a bomb exploded under his car before the officer got behind the wheel. According to sources cited by the Washington Post, in total there would be at least ten attempts on Budanov.

In the eyes of the Kremlin, the head of the special service of the Ukrainian army would be considered the main culprit of the destruction of the bridge connecting Russia with Crimea.

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For about an hour and a half, while we were in the military unit where we were supposed to meet Budanov, classical music and Ukrainian songs played quite loudly in the background.

Perhaps it was a protection tool against those who intended to listen to what was being said inside, as suggested by other journalists who met with the Ukrainian general. Or maybe it’s just a way to keep the spirits up in the military.

“The question arises whether the Putin we know is still alive”

I want to start with a personal question: how do you feel in the position of a person who has been attacked several times?

Kyrylo Budanov: I feel completely comfortable, for me this is a specific situation, because I have been in this position (object of attacks) for several years. However, I live freely, nothing bothers me.

What’s more, I like this pose because it’s proof that I’m doing the right thing. Gratitude to me from the enemy is the highest appreciation.

In January, you made a statement that was picked up by the international press about Putin’s alleged cancer. How do you know, and what will it mean for the course of the war, that Putin has cancer and doesn’t have long to live?

First of all, I want to say that I stated this back in 2021. Then journalists asked me, and I said that (not Putin) had two or three years left to live. For this reason, there is nothing new in this statement.

Editor’s note: Last year, CIA Director William Burns denied reports that Putin had terminal cancer..

And how will this disease affect the war?

It has nothing to do with war. Especially since there is still the question of whether the Putin we know is still alive. We have information confirmed that at the last events that Putin would have participated in, there would actually be people standing in for him (double digits).

What information does Ukraine receive from its NATO allies, and in particular, I would like you to tell me whether it receives information from the Romanian intelligence services and what information?

I mean, it’s information sharing, it’s mutual aid, and yes, we’re working with all of our partners. Of course, I cannot say all the information we receive, but from Romania we receive more useful information, including what is happening in the Black Sea basin.

Do you have information about pro-Russian agents who could stir up the Romanian ethnic communities of the Chernivtsi region? Is it from Moldova or Transnistria?

In the Chernivtsi region, we have nothing in this regard, I must say firmly. Then it is a confirmed fact that Russia is trying to maintain its influence in other regions, including Romania and Moldova. This is a fact that cannot be disputed.

However successful these attempts may be, we can all see that they fail. But, yes, these trials exist.

What are the main vulnerabilities of Moldova at the moment?

This is a broad question that does not have a simple answer. With the help of some pro-Russian elements, they are trying to destabilize the situation in Moldova. These tests were in the past and are happening now in the present. But if we return to the previous question about the effect of these actions, we will see that they do not really have an effect.

Why do you think the Russian people have not responded consistently to Putin?

It is about the ethnic and historical specificity of this people. If we look at the history of Russia, there were such events, such acts of disobedience, but there is a specificity of these events: they were very bloody.

It must be said that in the entire history of Russia, there was no special, very long preparation for such actions of disobedience. Events always happened suddenly and with a lot of blood. And they ended very quickly. Such an event is possible in the near future.

How realistic are the expectations of those who believe that the current regime in Russia can be overthrown?

It cannot be said that this regime can be overthrown. What may happen will simply be a transfer of power, and people will get used to this transfer of power.

You recently stated that this war will end in Crimea, where it began. Aren’t you afraid that the struggle for Crimea will push Putin to a nuclear attack on Ukraine?

First, I don’t believe it. But suppose I’m wrong, then the simple question is: Why didn’t this happen sooner? Because it is impossible.

This type of weapon, a nuclear weapon, is not a weapon that can be used. This is just a guarantee that it will not be used. And this is what a person who was born in a state that can be called “atomic” is telling you.

Russia cannot use this type of weapon because the price would be too high.

You also said that there will be a decisive battle between Russia and Ukraine this spring. Can you give us more details? Where will this battle take place?

If I were to answer that question, I would be giving away information about strategic military planning, so I can’t tell you. The fact that decisive battles will take place this spring is well understood both in Ukraine and in Russia. It is clear that it will be.

What targets on the territory of Russia, in your opinion, can be hit with weapons received from the West?

We do not use weapons received from foreign partners to hit targets on the territory of Russia. We have not done this and do not plan to do it.

We are talking from a theoretical point of view, what would be the legitimate goals…

I am telling you both from a practical point of view and from a theoretical point of view, no one is going to attack Russia with the weapons provided by the West.

But if you want to understand this topic, I can say that Ukraine has such weapons that would allow us to do it. Obviously, weapons of domestic production.

From a military point of view, what is the stake of the current fighting in Bakhmut?

Bet for whom?

For Ukraine.

A strange question, because Ukraine is fighting for its territory.

But for Russia?

For Russia, the answer is very clear: Russia is waging a war of aggression and its goal is to seize as much territory as possible.

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